Getting braces is a big step towards obtaining that straight smile that you want. To ensure that you’re prepped and ready for your treatment, we’ve put together some handy tips for the period before your procedure.

Braces are a great way to straighten up any misalignments in your smile. There are several different options for braces, including metal, ceramic, or even clear plastic aligners. Whichever option you choose, it will be a bit of an adjustment in terms of both how your teeth feel and your general lifestyle.

You can expect to have to make a few dietary adjustments and possibly adapt your oral care routine to maintain your new dental hardware. It’s a good idea to do some preparation in the lead-up to getting your braces fitted to ensure the best possible outcome for your smile.

Make Sure Your Teeth and Gums are Healthy

In the weeks leading up to your brace appointment, we recommend scheduling a thorough teeth cleaning at your dentist. This will ensure that your teeth are in the best possible condition before having your braces fitted. Additionally, your dentist can check for any signs of gum infection or dental decay so that these issues can be resolved before your braces are placed.

We also suggest that you pay particular attention to your oral care routine in the run-up to getting your braces – be sure to brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash to keep your teeth in tip-top shape and ensure that all is well before your appointment. While it’s not essential to have any cavities filled before you get your braces, it will be more convenient and simpler to have any holes in your teeth dealt with before getting your braces.

Eat Your Favourite Crunchy Treats

Unfortunately, there are quite a few meals that should be avoided while using braces. If any of your favourite snacks or treats are not recommended for brace-wearers, why not indulge yourself in the days and weeks before having your braces fitted?

If you’re a huge fan of popcorn, chewy candies like toffee, or crusty bread products like ciabatta, bagels, and hard-crust pizza, we suggest enjoying these foods as much as you can before you get your braces. Additionally, crunchy fruits and vegetables like raw carrots should be avoided while wearing braces, so stock up on your favourite fresh, crispy snacks before you’re obligated to give them up.

We also suggest making sure you’re prepared for the days following your braces fitting—we recommend doing some meal preparation so that you have a fridge full of soft foods like mashed potatoes, soups, and smoothies to keep you going while you adjust to your new orthodontia. It is important to note that you will probably experience a few days of minor discomfort while you adjust, so having soft food or even nutrition shakes on hand is a good idea.

Avoid Cosmetic Dental Procedures Such As Teeth Whitening

While it’s doable to have your teeth whitened before you get braces, it’s not particularly recommended as your teeth may have minor discoloration once your braces are taken off. This is due to your braces protecting certain areas of your teeth, meaning that there are parts of your teeth not exposed to staining agents like tea or coffee throughout your treatment.

Because you may notice some variation in the colour of your teeth after your braces are removed, we suggest waiting on the whitening treatment until after your braces come off.

How Can We Help?

At Straight Orthodontics, we believe that everyone deserves to have the smile of their dreams. Whether that means an alignment treatment such as braces or Invisalign, or cosmetic replacements for damaged teeth, such as crowns or veneers, we can assist. We’ll also provide custom retainers for use after your braces are taken off to help maintain the alignment of your smile.

To learn more about our treatments at Straight Orthodontics, please have a look here.

To get in touch, please call 03 9598 8000, or use our online contact form here.