How to Cope with Braces

Many people have braces these days, from kids and teens through to full grown adults. Learning how to deal with them both emotionally and physically takes a bit of time. That’s why we’re sharing our tips on how to cope with braces, so that you’ll soon be smiling.

Brace yourself 

Like anything new, getting braces can be a bit of a shock. Your mouth will feel different, your eyes will be focusing more on your teeth when you look in the mirror and you may feel a bit shy and self-conscious.

Braces are nothing to be ashamed of. You want great teeth and you’re making steps to get that goal. Think of it as self-improvement.

Smile, smile, smile 

Try not to worry about what your teeth look like with their new metal addition. Chances are many people won’t even notice. It feels more obvious to you because it’s in your mouth.

You’ve got something foreign permanently in your mouth. Once you get used to it you’ll soon forget your braces are even there.

Don’t let braces stop you from smiling, but if at first you do feel awkward, try smiling with your mouth closed for a while until you’ve adjusted. Eventually you’ll feel your normal self and be smiling like before.

A state of mind 

Keep things in perspective. They are only braces and they are not going to be on forever. A short time of feeling awkward versus a lifetime of crooked teeth. Which would you prefer?

In a few years’ time, you’ll look back and laugh at how silly you were for worrying about your braces now that your teeth are perfectly straight.

You only have some metal in your mouth, it’s not like you have grown a second head!

Down in the mouth 

Once you’ve had your braces fitted make sure wires are not cutting your gums or inside of your mouth. This shouldn’t happen. If this is the case then speak to your dentist/orthodontist to get it sorted.

When your braces are fitted and after each adjustment you may feel some mild pain. You can take some pain killers to minimise the pain. Make sure they don’t interact badly with any other medication you may be taking. Ask your dentist which ones they recommend.

Accessorise your pearly whites

Once you’ve become used to having braces it could be time to add some personality. Some dentists offer brightly coloured bands for braces and these can be a fun way to embrace your dental hardware. Start thinking of them as mouth jewellery and get them in your favourite colour.

Makeup 

If you like to wear makeup then perhaps you could try using more bolder shades of eyeshadow or try ‘smoky eye’ to draw attention to your eyes, away from your braces.

Foods to avoid 

As you probably expected there are some foods to avoid eating whilst you have your braces in.  As a general rule, avoid hard foods like nuts and boiled sweets, and food that involves a lot of chomping such as apples, raw carrots and corn on the cob.

Sadly, a lot of your favourite sweet treats should be left alone. Caramel candies, candy floss and pretty much all sticky, chewy sweets are off the menu too, for a little while at least.

Remember it’s only for a little while and cutting down on sweets is never a bad thing, especially when it means keeping your braces free from stuck junk and becoming damaged.

Brush, don’t rush 

Brushing your teeth is always an important part of basic oral hygiene. Now with braces it’s even more essential.

Take your time when brushing your tooth and follow your dentist’s advice on how to brush your teeth. Electric toothbrushes are great for getting into the hard to reach places between teeth and braces so you could invest in one if you don’t use one already.

You can use toothpicks to get those tricky gaps in teeth too for a full cleaning. Brushing your teeth after every meal is a good way to keep foodstuff out of your teeth and braces.

Why not try a toothpaste or mouthwash from our great range of oral care products to help you on your road to perfect dental health?