Getting Braces? Here’s What to Expect

The Braces Timeline

Assuming you haven’t chosen clear aligners to straighten your smile, most bonding appointments follow the same steps. You can expect the entire application of dental braces to take 1-2 hours to complete so if you’d like to bring headphones along to pass the time, that’s fine! We want you to be comfortable in the chair and know that it can be a bit boring after a while.

The steps we’ll take to place your braces include:

• First, your teeth are cleaned completely, and a cheek retractor is put in your mouth to keep your teeth dry and easily visible.
• We’ll then lightly air dry your teeth once more and apply a solution designed to prepare the tooth surface for bonding.
• Once the teeth are properly prepared, we’ll apply bonding cement to the backs of the brackets and place them securely on your teeth. 
• The adhesive will be hardened using a curing light so your braces stay on throughout treatment. 
• We’ll finish by running the archwire through the braces and hold them in place with elastic bands which come in a variety of colors.

Will New Braces Hurt?

You shouldn’t feel any pain while getting metal braces. The same goes for the ceramic version, as well. Some pressure, sure, but nothing during the process should cause noticeable discomfort. Generally, it isn’t until about an hour or two after your appointment that you’ll feel some tenderness.

Learn More → How Ceramic Braces Address Overbites, Underbites, & More

Not every patient is the same, however, and some may only notice this when eating. If at any point in the dental braces procedure you do experience a heightened level of sensitivity or pain, please do not hesitate to let our staff know. We will always do our best to minimize any discomfort and make sure you have an enjoyable time in the chair.

Helpful After-Visit Tips Visit

It’s totally normal to have some soreness after getting braces. Think about it: your mouth is still adjusting to having brackets and wires involved! Fortunately, there are ways to get through the first few days of having new braces as an adult or teen.

If you’re experiencing a mild headache or some jaw discomfort, we recommend trying an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen. Brands like Advil, Tylenol, or Aleve will work just fine. For numbing certain tender areas in the mouth, an oral anesthetic like Orajel can help.

Dr. Shih also recommends that you go easy for those initial days following your first orthodontic visit and only choose foods that are easier to chew. Below are some good choices:

• Yogurt
• Mashed potatoes
• Oatmeal 
• Scrambled eggs
• Pasta
• Soft fruits (i.e., bananas, berries, etc.)
• Applesauce
• Smoothies 
• Steamed/soft vegetables

Once your teeth and gums aren’t so tender, you can go back to eating more normal, braces-friendly foods. Have questions during this stage? Feel free to ask our DeLand, FL, orthodontics office and we’ll guide you through whatever issue you encounter.