Your teeth are one of your greatest features. And even if they’re not the straightest now, they soon will be. Once you’ve made it through the brace phase of life, you can consider yourself one step closer to adulthood. And in case you’re a little concerned about what this new chapter in your life will bring, here’s a quick rundown of what you can expect from our orthodontist Upper Saddle River services.

Food Tips

First things first, let’s just clarify what it is that you can and cannot eat. Obviously, corn on the cob is out. Same with apples, popcorn, gum, or generally things that you have to bite into. Instead, you should be eating things that you can place in your mouth with spoon or fork that you can chew and swallow.

If you do happen to break the rules, which, let’s be honest, at some point you probably will, then you should always brush and floss directly afterward. The biggest inconvenience of braces is the aftermath of breaking the rules. Because half of what you bite always stays right up there in the front of your teeth. And it’s usually pretty tricky to get it out. So remember, anywhere you go, you should always bring your toothbrush with you. You’re going to need to brush not just twice a day, but rather, after every single time you eat a meal or snack.

The good news is that as far as ice cream’s concerned, you’re smooth sailing!

Soreness And Wiggly Teeth

The other issue with having braces is the soreness. Each month, your orthodontist is going to tighten your braces. Essentially what he or she is doing is moving your teeth out of their original position so they relocate them to a position that’s better looking and allows you to eat with greater ease. Unfortunately, that’s going to hurt a bit. But sooner or later, you’ll get used to it. And you’ll be stronger for it!

Bear in mind that when the orthodontist tightens the braces, that your teeth inherently will feel looser because they are looser. Don’t be alarmed. This is perfectly normal. You can even play around with them if you like. Once they are in the right position and look nice and straight, they will eventually go back to being rigid.

Additional Appliances

For many patients, the braces are not the end of the story. There are also a number of other additional appliances. It’s always important to remember, as hard as this may be, that your orthodontist has your best interest. Your orthodontist is not out to torture you. But in order for you to allow your orthodontist to do his or her job, you must work together. So when he or she asks you to wear your rubber bands, headgear, or retainer, just do it. Because if you don’t, all that pain and hard work will have been for nothing.

We hope we’ve made things clearer. Having braces isn’t so bad. And at the end of the day, you’re going to have a beautiful smile and a new appreciation for long term investments. For more information on our orthodontist Upper Saddle River services give us a call at 201-652-7020.