Do’s and Don’ts of Wearing Braces

When your child gets their braces on for the first time, it can be a time of great excitement as well as increased anxiety over not knowing what to expect. Depending on the individual patient’s needs, orthodontics could begin as early as age seven. During their routine dental examination, it may be determined that orthodontic intervention is needed. The first step is to make an appointment to gather measurements, take digital x-rays, impressions and photographs, and discuss the best orthodontic treatment plan. 

Before your child gets their braces on for the first time, it’s important to understand the do’s and don’ts of wearing braces. Your dentist or orthodontist will review the proper way to care for the teeth as well as what they should or shouldn’t be eating during this time. 

It’s not unusual during the first few weeks after getting braces to experience discomfort when eating and chewing. Soft foods, even smoothies, are a great way to eat healthy while learning to adjust to the new braces. Your child will need to avoid anything sticky or hard while wearing their braces. The tiny wires and brackets can easily be broken, so it’s important to remember not to bite into hard foods, such as apples. Instead, try cutting up foods, including sandwiches, to keep from damaging the wires. If a wire or bracket does become dislodged or broken, you should contact our office immediately for an emergency visit. 

Oral care is also extremely important during this time. Brushing and flossing regularly are a vital part of keeping your mouth healthy. Bacteria can gather around the brackets and along the gumline, causing irritation and puffy gums. Proper brushing and flossing techniques can be demonstrated to the patient by your dental provider. 

It’s important to remember that wearing dental braces is a process — one that will take some adjustments over the duration of treatment. As one of the leading Montgomery county dentists, Weaver, Reckner & Reinhart Dental is committed to providing each of our patients with the highest quality care throughout all phases of dental care. We have been offering comprehensive orthodontic services since 1999 and are an active member of the International Association of Orthodontists with specialized training and certification in orthodontics. 

If you would like to schedule an orthodontics consultation in either our Souderton or Harleysville location, or are interested in learning more about braces in Montgomery County,   call 215-486-1649/215-486-1652. To learn more about our practice, you can browse our website.