You've taken a big step! You're now officially on the path towards the healthiest, most beautiful smile possible. Itâs an exciting time, but it also comes with a bit of a learning curve. Don't worry â as you get used to your orthodontic treatment, these adjustments will become second nature before you know it!
Easing Into Comfort
The first few days with metal braces can be accompanied by tenderness and soreness. This is completely normal and usually subsides within a week.
- Soreness Relief: If you find yourself experiencing discomfort, try swishing and gargling with warm salt water for a few minutes. (You only need about a tablespoon of salt in a small glass of water.) If this doesn't help, over-the-counter pain relievers like Acetaminophen (Tylenol) are the best option, provided you do not have an allergy.
- Irritated Spots: Your lips, cheeks, or tongue may feel irritated for the first week or two, but this will subside as your mouth gets used to them. If needed, you can use the dental wax we provide you with to cover up spots on your braces that may be irritating or cutting into your cheek and gums.
Care & Maintenance: Your Team Effort
Itâs incredibly important to maintain excellent oral hygiene habits while undergoing orthodontic treatment. Thorough brushing and flossing keep bacteria at bay, which keeps your whole mouth healthier in the long run.
- Brushing: Brush thoroughly after every meal or snack. If youâre not able to brush right away, rinsing your mouth with water will help until you can get to a toothbrush.
- The Right Tools: Use fluoride toothpaste with a soft, rounded-bristle toothbrush. Replace your brush as soon as it begins to show signs of wear!
- Flossing: Floss every night before you go to bed. Tools like floss threaders and Waterpiks are helpful if youâre having difficulty getting a good floss underneath the wires.
Eating With Braces: What to Enjoy (and What to Avoid)
In order to protect your new braces and ensure that your treatment goes smoothly, there are a few dietary adjustments youâll need to make. Donât worry â there are tons of delicious foods you can still enjoy!
- Foods You Can Enjoy: Soft cheese, pudding, milk, soft tortillas, pancakes, pasta, soft cooked rice, poultry, tender meats, mashed potatoes, steamed veggies, applesauce, bananas, smoothies, and soft cookies.
- Foods to Avoid: Chewy foods (bagels, licorice, pizza crusts), crunchy foods (popcorn, chips, ice, hard candies), sticky foods (caramel, gummy candies), hard foods (nuts), and foods that require biting into (corn on the cob, apples, ribs, chicken wings).
Kaplan Orthodontics Reviews
Awesome Team
Very thorough and did an exceptional job explaining everything to my son, which I greatly appreciated.
Dr. Kaplan and his associates are veryknowledgeable, professional, and friendly! đ
Weâve had an excellent experience with Kaplan Orthodontics. Dr. Kaplan is amazing, very professional, friendly, and extremely knowledgeable. He has taken care of several of my children, each with different levels of complexity, and we have always felt confident that they were receiving excellent care.The entire team is wonderful as well, friendly, helpful, and professional. Leanne is always a pleasure to deal with and adds to the welcoming atmosphere.I highly recommend Kaplan Orthodontics to any family looking for knowledgeable, caring, and professional orthodontic care.
Dr. Kaplan,It has been almost three years since I started my treatment with you, and I wanted to take a moment to share what has been a very rare and meaningful doctor-patient experience for me.When I first started treatment, I had a few concerns and shared them with you. What stood out to me was how seriously you took my feedback, how carefully you considered my concerns, and how consistently you made sure they were addressed throughout the treatment.I also want to clarify that the long duration of treatment was not because of the actual treatment plan itself. Much of the delay was due to my extended travel in between. Through all of that, you and your team were extremely patient, flexible, and accommodating.Your team has been exceptional as well. Whether it was a question, a scheduling change, or even a last-minute request, they always responded positively and tried their best to accommodate me without hesitation. That level of support is truly appreciated.Dr. Kaplan, I have mentioned this during our visits, but I also wanted to put it in writing because others should know how seriously you take patient feedback. Many people and organizations say they value feedback, but you have genuinely demonstrated what it means to listen, take it seriously, and act on it.I know we still have a little more to complete, but I did not want to wait until the very end to say this.Thank you, Dr. Kaplan, and thank you to your entire team for everything you have done for me over these years. I truly appreciate it.
765
Total Reviews
5
Star Average Rating
Handling Little Fixes at Home
If any part of your braces comes loose or breaks, be sure to contact Dr. Kaplan right away to determine your next steps. While you wait, here are a few guidelines:
- Loose Wires, Bands & Brackets: If a bracket is broken but still attached to the wire, cover it with orthodontic wax if itâs causing irritation. If a piece has come off, save it for us to inspect!
- Poking Wires: If the archwire moves and pokes out, try using the eraser end of a pencil or a cotton swab to gently tuck it back into position. Use wax for comfort, but call us soon so we can fix the actual problem!
- Loose Teeth: Itâs normal, if disconcerting, to feel as though your teeth are slightly loosened. This is a sign that your braces are doing exactly what we want them to! Once they settle into their new positions, theyâll stop feeling loose.
Tips for Athletes & Musicians
You can still play sports as normal during your treatment, but remember to protect your teeth with an orthodontic-friendly mouth guard. If you play an instrument, itâs normal to have some difficulty adjusting, but the liberal use of wax and warm salt-water rinses will help your lips and cheeks toughen up more quickly than youâd think.
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