Congratulations! You officially have braces, which means you’re on your way to a straighter, healthier smile. But let’s be honest: the first week can take some getting used to. Your teeth may feel sore, your cheeks might be irritated by brackets, and even eating your favorite foods can suddenly feel like a challenge.
The good news is that this adjustment period is temporary. With a few simple strategies, you can make your first week with braces much more comfortable.
Stock Up on Soft Foods
Your teeth may be particularly tender during the first few days, so now is the perfect time to embrace soft, easy-to-chew foods. Yogurt, oatmeal, scrambled eggs, smoothies, applesauce, mashed potatoes, soup, rice, pasta, and soft-cooked vegetables are all good options.
As your mouth becomes more comfortable, you can gradually add other foods. Cutting food into smaller pieces can also make chewing easier and reduce pressure on your teeth.
Know What Foods to Avoid
Some foods are better left off the menu while you’re getting used to your braces. Hard, sticky, crunchy, or particularly chewy foods can damage brackets or wires and may make your teeth even more uncomfortable.
For now, avoid foods such as popcorn, nuts, hard candy, caramel, taffy, chewing gum, ice, and crunchy chips. Whole apples and raw carrots can also be difficult to bite into, so cut them into small pieces if you want to enjoy them.
Being careful about what you eat isn’t just a first-week rule. You’ll need to continue avoiding certain foods throughout your orthodontic treatment to protect your braces.
Give Your Mouth Time to Adjust
It’s normal for your teeth to feel sore or sensitive after braces are placed. This discomfort is usually most noticeable during the first few days and gradually improves as your mouth adjusts to the gentle pressure being used to move your teeth.
Cold water or cool, soft foods may feel soothing. If your orthodontic team has recommended an over-the-counter pain reliever, follow their instructions and the medication label carefully.
Your cheeks and lips may also rub against your new brackets. Orthodontic wax can create a protective barrier between the hardware and the soft tissues inside your mouth.
Keep Your Braces Clean
Braces create plenty of new places for food particles and plaque to hide, making a thorough oral hygiene routine more important than ever. Continue brushing your teeth regularly with fluoride toothpaste, paying special attention to the areas around your brackets and along the gumline.
You’ll also need to clean between your teeth and around the wires. Your orthodontic team can show you how to use tools such as floss threaders or interdental brushes effectively.
Keeping your teeth clean throughout treatment helps reduce your risk of cavities, gum problems, and discoloration around your brackets.
Be Patient With Yourself
You may notice that talking, eating, and even smiling feel a little strange at first. That’s completely normal! Your lips, cheeks, tongue, and teeth simply need time to become accustomed to the new hardware. Most people find that these changes become much easier to manage as the first week progresses.
If a bracket breaks or a wire becomes loose or continues to poke your cheek, contact your orthodontic team for guidance rather than trying to fix it yourself.
The first week may require a little patience, but it won’t last forever—and you’ll soon have your new routine down.
Before you know it, caring for your braces will simply become another part of your daily routine.
About the Practice
Ortega Orthodontics provides orthodontic care for patients seeking healthier, more confident smiles, including traditional braces and other orthodontic treatment options. The practice emphasizes personalized treatment plans designed around each patient’s individual smile and alignment needs.
Dr. Holland leads the practice and provides orthodontic treatment focused on helping patients achieve functional, attractive results. The orthodontic team works with patients throughout treatment to help them understand their care, maintain their appliances, and stay comfortable as their smiles gradually transform.
Call us at (904) 388-4600 or schedule your appointment online