What to Expect with Braces?

My son had more problems with the pain from the spacers than the braces. He was uncomfortable for maybe 2 days. ANd it wasn't outrageous. I fixed soups the first two days and then we went on with business as usual. They will give you a list of foods to avoid...basically nothing crunchy, chewy or anything that involves pulling (ribs, pizza crust, corn on the cob).

I had braces years ago and the pain was not intolerable. Of course follow the Dr. suggestions but you might think (ask Dr.) about letting her take an Advil or Tylenol before she goes and it might help some.

At first, they are uncomfortable as any foreign thing would be on or in our bodies. You do have pain when you get them on until you get used to them. The intensity of the pain depends on the person's pain tolerance. There is usually some pain for about a day or two at each tightening.

Adjusting to eating is just that, an adjustment. During this adjustment, I lost about 15# that I did not have to lose and the Dr was concerned because I dropped below 100#. Once I was on track though, I got back to my normal weight around 115# and have been that way since with exception of pregnancy.

As for foods, you'll get the "list" of no-no's. I personally did not like sandwiches or anything you bite into. If your daughter is getting the clear brackets... keep in mind that marinara sauce and things like that stain.

The BEST advice I got from my Dr. was to get a Water Pik. He was so Pro Water Pik.... he gave each patient one on the day we got braces. I LOVED that. It helped SO much with getting my teeth clean but it also was very soothing. I would put warm water in it mixed with a bit of Listerine and it made a world of difference on sore gums. A warm salt water solution was also suggested.

Just remember once she is out of braces to continue wearing the retainer and make sure you follow Dr. orders.

Best wishes to you and I hope your daughter does well.

ETA: Make sure you have the wax on hand to put on any spots that touch the wrong way, etc to prevent mouth sores.

My daughter has had her braces on for 6 months now. The first day or two will be rough. You might want to offer her ibuprofen, and only soft foods (or in any case, nothing too chewy) for the rest of the day. My daughter had a smoothie for lunch and soup for dinner that first day. The next day, she was fine, but the inside of her mouth just felt irritated. The orthodontist gave us wax that we did have to use for the first few days (to smooth out some of the rough edges and reduce irritation inside the mouth).

As far as foods she won't be able to have - don't worry, the orthodontist will give you a big, long list of foods to avoid. Basically, no popcorn, no caramels (or other sticky foods), nothing super hard (no chewing ice, no jawbreakers, etc). Be sure to get her a special orthodontic toothbrush (the brush head is tiny, which is better to get all of those small areas clean). We have found that using a Waterpik will save her sanity (vs. trying to use the flossers designed for braces - those are darn near impossible to use).

It's an adjustment, but my daughter was actually pretty excited about choosing the band colors on her braces. Our orthodontist has a points program where on every visit, he gives the kids a score. They can get up to 10 points per visit, awarded for hygiene, no bent/broken brackets, showing up on time, etc. The day they get their braces off, kids can use their points to get prizes (my daughter is gunning for a perfect score, which will earn her a $100 Best Buy gift card). Lots of orthodontists do that, so the kids stay very motivated to take care of their braces! Less work for us moms! ;)

She will adjust fairly quickly. The first 2-3 days are the worst. And then after each adjustment there is usually a sore day or so.

It isn't anything so bad they can't eat. But if it were me, I'd give her an early lunch today and some advil right after, so she already has it in her system kicking in before the braces go on. It's best to take with food, and she'll not be anxious to eat immediately after leaving.

Soft foods are best the first few days. Soft pasta, yogurt, pudding, jello, soup... things that don't require a lot of chewing. Smoothies are great for that first meal. :)

My son had a herbst device before he got his braces, and then had both for over a year. The herbst took some practice eating before he did well with some foods. He's near getting his braces off now... a few more months. Had his archwire adjusted on Monday and declined any advil after. :)

The first time is the hardest... after that the adjustments aren't so bad.
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Oh yeah.. forgot about the wooden coins our orthodontist gives out. Same as Hell on Heels---being on time, good hygiene, etc. They have a list of things to choose with varying coin amounts. I-Tunes cards, American Eagle Outfitters cards, Target cards, even some restaurants. :) Some of them are really motivating...
They also always have a counter game, usually one per month so it is different every time you go in. This month's has been "guess how many coffee beans" in a huge glass container. Winner gets a Starbucks gift card. Sometimes it's hershey kisses. Sometimes it's cotton balls. It's always a pick-a-number thing sitting on the counter.
Hopefully, your daughter's orthodontist will have a "fun" office, too. It makes it easier for the kids to not hate it so much. Ours even has an Xbox room and ipads on a counter for them to use while they wait (although they are very timely and my kids rarely have to wait more than 5 minutes for their appointment).

I just had mine put on in August, so it's fairly fresh. She will be fine the rest of time. There will be some overall tightness and discomfort, but nothing too bad. It will HURT tomorrow. I suffered through it because it encouraged me that my teeth were moving and the braces would be off that much sooner. But, you can give her advil, etc. She's not going to really be able to eat solid foods for a few days, so just made sure to have a lot of soft food on hand.

Food she can't eat - milk duds, hard candy, gum might prove difficult or cause a visit to the orthodontist for a broken bracket. I cut up apples into 8ths because it makes it easier to bite and doesn't put pressure on the brackets.

Not to scare you, but yes, she will experience pain. I had braces in high school for two years. Not sure what kind of braces she's getting since there seems to be a variety these days, but if she's getting the traditional metal kind, which is what I had, you should have dental wax handy because the metals can irritate the inside of her mouth. Her orthodontist may give her some. She would also need dental floss loops. No sticky candy or gum. And no curry or foods that can stain the rubbers on the braces. I'm sure her orthodontist will explain all of these things to you. As far as the pain goes, pain meds like tylenol or advil did not help me at all and it usually lasted a few days with each tightening. She may also refuse anything that's difficult to chew on those days so soft, liquid diet during those days.

Tylenol. The dentist will tell you and her what she isn't supposed to eat.

I had braces a few years ago as an adult. Her pain will be similar to that of a teething child. Her first meal right after the braces go on should be somewhat solid if her teeth don't hurt yet. It will be awkward and messy, but that way she can get a good meal in. Soft foods and soups for the first few days, but more solids as soon as she can tolerate. I found that the sooner I went back to solids, the less my teeth hurt. Also, when I had the pain, I wanted to chew things. A cold, wet wash cloth felt heavenly to chew on! Wax helps with pokey wires and brackets.

My daughter had braces put on her top and bottom teeth last month. Yes, they are painful, especially the first few days.

My suggestions:
Keep your daughter on ibuprofen every 4-6 hours through the first 2 days. Set a timer, if necessary. Don't wait until her teeth hurt to give her pain medication. Tooth pain is miserable and it's so much easier if you stay ahead of the pain.

Stock your fridge with tons of soft foods & cold foods: applesauce, jello, pudding, ice cream, yogurts smoothies, etc. Your daughter will want soft foods for the first 2-3 days and soft food is boring and not particulary filling, so a ton and a variety. Plus it will make her feel special!

Your daughter's lips will get quite dry - get a few different flavors of chapstick.

The orthodontist will give your daughter wax to apply to any painful spots (where the braces are rubbing against her mouth), use it.

Your orthodontist will give your daughter a detailed list of foods to stay away from - mostly sticky & chewy (caramels, gum, bagels, etc.). My daughter and I "prepared" for braces by eating all the forbidden foods the night before braces.

Finally, mark the moment: Take a "before" and "after" photo.

Good Luck to you and your daughter!
T. Y
SAHM of 5
(13, 12, 6, 4 & 2)