Everyone experiences some discomfort during the first few days after receiving braces from their orthodontist in Melbourne, FL. The average amount of treatment time for most people is around two years, although it can be more or less time than that. Once you get past the first few days, any discomfort from the new appliance will be gone, and you can carry on with most of your life as usual. But it’s those first few uncomfortable days that everyone wants to know about. Here’s what to expect.

Day 1 with Your New Braces

Take some over-the-counter pain medication right before the appointment when your braces will be installed. This will ensure that the medication is in your system and working when any pain or discomfort starts to set in a few hours later. When the braces are first applied to your teeth, you won’t feel much pain or discomfort at all. It’s only when the teeth initially start to shift that the discomfort begins. The pain will likely be a dull ache that will last for two to three days.

Eat a meal of soft foods right after your braces are applied. There’s no pain or discomfort initially, so this will be your last chance at eating something comfortably for the next few days. You can go back to work or school after your appointment and resume all your regular activities, unless otherwise noted by your orthodontist. Plan for a dinner of soft foods at the end of the day. Continue to take the pain medications every 4 to 6 hours as directed.

Days 2, 3 and 4 with Your New Braces

The most discomfort in the whole process is usually felt when you wake up in the morning on day 2 with your new braces. The teeth have begun to shift by this point. As they begin moving, it might feel like your teeth are loose.

Even though it might be uncomfortable, eat breakfast on days 2 and 3. Stick to soft foods like scrambled eggs, oatmeal, smoothies or things like that. The nourishment from eating will help with the adjustment process. Take some pain medicine right after breakfast, and continue taking it every 4 to 6 hours as directed. Stick to soft and easy foods for lunch and dinner as well. The great news is that the discomfort will be starting to go away as you go about your day!

Day 5 with Your New Braces

By the fifth day, you should have fully adjusted to being able to eat and talk with your braces. The need for pain medication should only be sporadic from this point on, because most of the discomfort will have gone away. You can also add a lot of your regular foods to your diet by the fifth day or so, as long as you follow the guidelines of your orthodontist in Melbourne, FL.

Life after the First Week

After your first week with braces, all of the pain will be gone. You might occasionally feel some discomfort if the braces poke at the inside of your cheeks, lips, or gums. Apply some of your orthodontic wax to the parts that are causing discomfort, including before bed. Use a large piece of wax on any area that’s very sore.

If there is a certain area that is constantly irritating the inside of your mouth, this should not happen. Call Melbourne Orthodontics to set up an appointment, because your braces might need an adjustment.

Am I Too Old for Braces?

Four out of five patients with braces are in the pre-teen to teenage years. The rest are adults. People can still opt for braces when they reach adulthood, but there are some caveats. In adults, their bone structures are fully established, so there are some orthodontic goals that might not be possible. The best way to find out is to contact an orthodontist in Melbourne and set up an appointment.

Contact Melbourne Orthodontics in Melbourne, FL

The first week with braces is when you will feel the most discomfort. After that, it should be smooth sailing and the rewards are well worth it! Contact us today for an appointment to see whether you or your child are good candidates for braces.