Our Official Guide to Getting Started with Braces

You’re about to begin your orthodontic journey—brace yourself (literally). Prepare for the selfies, the shiny brackets or aligners, and a quick adjustment period as your smile starts its transformation. From what to expect to earning rewards and treating yourself to lots of ice cream, here’s everything you need to know when getting started.

What to Expect

When you first get braces or start wearing aligners, your mouth might experience some changes. Teeth might feel sore, lips and cheeks will need to adjust to the new materials, and talking might feel a little bit different at first. All of this is totally normal. 

We recommend a soft-food diet including things like ice cream, smoothies, soups, and cooked pasta. If you’re experiencing discomfort, acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help—and orthodontic wax (included with your new patient packet) or warm saltwater rinses are perfect for soothing any irritating spots. Most of this initial soreness fades within a day or two, so allow yourself time to adjust!

Once your braces are on, we recommend staying away from foods that are hard, sticky, chewy, and crunchy. Things like popcorn, nuts, hard-crusted foods, suckers and hard candies, taffy and gummies, corn on the cob, whole apples, caramels, beef jerky, sunflower seeds, and bubble gum can all create problems with braces. Take smaller bites, chew carefully, and your future smile will thank you! 

Brushing, Flossing, and Keeping Things Clean

Whether you’re wearing braces or aligners, oral hygiene matters more than ever! Orthodontic treatment can make brushing and flossing a bit more challenging, but as long as you stay consistent, your smile will stay sparkling! Brush at least twice a day and floss nightly, taking extra care to rinse after meals when you can. Spend at least two minutes brushing each time, using small circular motions above and below your brackets. Skipping proper care can lead to white spots or decalcification. Nobody wants that.

Clear Aligners, Clear Expectations

Aligners can collect plaque and food particles, so be sure to brush the inside and outside of them at least twice a day. When cared for properly, they’ll stay clear and fresh. Just like the day you got them. 

Only water is allowed while aligners are in. After eating or drinking anything else, brush your teeth before putting them back in. If you don’t have a toothbrush nearby, rinse thoroughly with water until you can brush properly. 

We’ll also set you up with a handy aligner care kit, which may include a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash, chewies, and even an aligner file to smooth any rough edges. We’ll show you how to properly utilize all of these tools to ensure the best care during your treatment. 

For Invisalign to be successful, wearing your aligners for 22 hours a day is key. Aligners work best when they’re worn consistently. This allows you to advance according to your prescribed schedule. You may also have small, tooth-colored attachments bonded to certain teeth to help guide more advanced movements. In some cases, auxiliaries like rubber bands or buttons may be used to help achieve your treatment goals. 

Occasionally, minor adjustments between teeth (called interproximal reduction or IPR) may be needed to allow everything to move and fit together comfortably. Aligners are created in batches, so reaching your final smile may require additional scans and aligners along the way. Once treatment is complete, we’ll provide retainers to help maintain your beautiful results. Your smile deserves to last!

What Really Counts as an Emergency?

Most braces mishaps aren’t emergencies. A broken bracket sliding on the wire and not stuck to the tooth, for instance, is usually just an inconvenience, not a disaster. Letting us know quickly keeps your treatment on track. Accidental damage, like a loose bracket, is important to address, but it’s not urgent unless it’s causing you severe pain, excessive bleeding, or trauma that dislodges your appliance. For sports, always wear a mouthguard. We will provide one for you if you need it! 

Earn While You Smile with Our Rewards Program

Orthodontic treatment at Lincoln Orthodontics comes with perks! Our rewards program lets you earn tickets throughout your treatment that can be redeemed for prizes anytime. All you have to do is show up for your appointments on time, keep your teeth and appliances clean, wear your elastics, and do your best to avoid broken brackets or damaged appliances. Good habits equal tickets, and tickets equal fun prizes like free ice cream, gift cards, and more! 

Phases of Treatment

Orthodontic treatment often happens in stages. The first phase focuses on correcting any specific problems. The second phase, typically more comprehensive, fine-tunes alignment and your bite. Phase one helps simplify the next phase, so think of it as kicking things off and getting the foundation laid for a perfect smile. 

Braces are a journey, but with patience, the right food changes, and some wax magic, your smile is going to be totally worth it. We’re always here for questions, comfort, or just a little encouragement along the way. Call our office at (402) 489-8841 to get started on your free consultation today!