You've taken a big step! You're now officially on the path towards the healthiest, most beautiful smile possible. Itâs an exciting time, but it also comes with a bit of a learning curve. Don't worry â as you get used to your orthodontic treatment, these adjustments will become second nature before you know it!
Easing Into Comfort
The first few days with metal braces can be accompanied by tenderness and soreness. This is completely normal and usually subsides within a week.
- Soreness Relief: If you find yourself experiencing discomfort, try swishing and gargling with warm salt water for a few minutes. (You only need about a tablespoon of salt in a small glass of water.) If this doesn't help, over-the-counter pain relievers like Acetaminophen (Tylenol) are the best option, provided you do not have an allergy.
- Irritated Spots: Your lips, cheeks, or tongue may feel irritated for the first week or two, but this will subside as your mouth gets used to them. If needed, you can use the dental wax we provide you with to cover up spots on your braces that may be irritating or cutting into your cheek and gums.
Care & Maintenance: Your Team Effort
Itâs incredibly important to maintain excellent oral hygiene habits while undergoing orthodontic treatment. Thorough brushing and flossing keep bacteria at bay, which keeps your whole mouth healthier in the long run.
- Brushing: Brush thoroughly after every meal or snack. If youâre not able to brush right away, rinsing your mouth with water will help until you can get to a toothbrush.
- The Right Tools: Use fluoride toothpaste with a soft, rounded-bristle toothbrush. Replace your brush as soon as it begins to show signs of wear!
- Flossing: Floss every night before you go to bed. Tools like floss threaders and Waterpiks are helpful if youâre having difficulty getting a good floss underneath the wires.
Eating With Braces: What to Enjoy (and What to Avoid)
In order to protect your new braces and ensure that your treatment goes smoothly, there are a few dietary adjustments youâll need to make. Donât worry â there are tons of delicious foods you can still enjoy!
- Foods You Can Enjoy: Soft cheese, pudding, milk, soft tortillas, pancakes, pasta, soft cooked rice, poultry, tender meats, mashed potatoes, steamed veggies, applesauce, bananas, smoothies, and soft cookies.
- Foods to Avoid: Chewy foods (bagels, licorice, pizza crusts), crunchy foods (popcorn, chips, ice, hard candies), sticky foods (caramel, gummy candies), hard foods (nuts), and foods that require biting into (corn on the cob, apples, ribs, chicken wings).
Kaplan Orthodontics Reviews
Very good experience. Quickly in and out.
Dr. Kaplan and his team have been amazing. I started treatment yesterday and came into the office extremely nervous. Him and his team made me feel comfortable. We even joked about me falling asleep while getting my appliance installed. đ¤
Dr Kaplan and the whole crew are amazing. Top notch service. Iâm so glad I let them take care of my braces. I would recommend them to anyone and everyone. Donât bother going anywhere else.
This has been by far the best 2 years. We live 1.5 hours away from here but it is worth the drive. You cannot find hospitality like this anywhere else, it truly is a family. I cannot thank the team enough for the kindness they showed me and my sister. The confidence they restored in our smiles is beyond measure! Thank you so much!!!!! We will miss our appointments.
We canât say enough great things about Kaplan Orthodontics; Iâd rate them 10 âď¸ if I could! From the very beginning, Dr. Kaplan and the entire team have been absolutely amazing to our family. We live about 1.5 hours away, and they always made everything so convenient and easy when scheduling appointments.The staff is friendly, professional, and truly cares about their patients. Both of my daughters now have beautiful smiles, and we are beyond grateful for the kindness and care they received throughout the entire process. You can tell this office genuinely puts patients first.Highly recommend Kaplan Orthodontics to anyone looking for an orthodontist that goes above and beyond! âââââ
726
Total Reviews
5
Star Average Rating
Handling Little Fixes at Home
If any part of your braces comes loose or breaks, be sure to contact Dr. Kaplan right away to determine your next steps. While you wait, here are a few guidelines:
- Loose Wires, Bands & Brackets: If a bracket is broken but still attached to the wire, cover it with orthodontic wax if itâs causing irritation. If a piece has come off, save it for us to inspect!
- Poking Wires: If the archwire moves and pokes out, try using the eraser end of a pencil or a cotton swab to gently tuck it back into position. Use wax for comfort, but call us soon so we can fix the actual problem!
- Loose Teeth: Itâs normal, if disconcerting, to feel as though your teeth are slightly loosened. This is a sign that your braces are doing exactly what we want them to! Once they settle into their new positions, theyâll stop feeling loose.
Tips for Athletes & Musicians
You can still play sports as normal during your treatment, but remember to protect your teeth with an orthodontic-friendly mouth guard. If you play an instrument, itâs normal to have some difficulty adjusting, but the liberal use of wax and warm salt-water rinses will help your lips and cheeks toughen up more quickly than youâd think.
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