Life with Braces (FAQ)

Life with braces is exciting! The day you get your braces on, you’re one major step closer to your beautiful new smile. No matter which type of braces you choose, you’ll have to make some minor adjustments to accommodate your treatment. We’re here for you every step of the way in Jupiter, Fl!

Use these braces FAQs as a guide to reference before, during or after your treatment to ensure a smooth smile transformation.

Fortunately, braces do not hurt! When Dr. King or Dr. Welch put your braces on, you won’t experience any pain. During the initial placement process, your orthodontist is simply cementing brackets to your teeth and threading your archwires through your brackets.

After your first appointment, you may experience some mild soreness as your teeth and gums adjust to your braces. You can take an over-the-counter pain reliever, like Tylenol®, to relieve any discomfort!

You may notice this soreness after each braces adjustment appointment, but it should be easily mitigated with a mild pain reliever. If you ever experience considerable or persistent discomfort during your orthodontic treatment, we encourage you to give us a call. We want to help ease any fears you have and ensure that your treatment is on the right track.

With traditional, metal braces and INBRACE lingual braces, you’ll have to make some adjustments to your diet. Although your braces are sturdy and durable, they still require your care to prevent damage.

Foods that are sticky, crunchy or hard should be avoided—or eaten with extreme caution if you simply can’t help yourself—with these types of braces.

Examples of sticky foods to avoid with braces:

  • Starbursts
  • Caramel
  • Taffy

Examples of crunchy foods to avoid with braces:

  • Nuts
  • Popcorn
  • Bagel bites

Examples of hard foods to avoid with braces:

  • Beef jerky
  • Ice
  • Apples (ok to eat if you cut them up first)

How long after getting braces can you eat normal food?

The first week of your orthodontic treatment, you may have to opt for softer foods to accommodate your soreness. Knowing what to eat with braces the first week will require some of your own discretion. Start off with food like applesauce, mashed potatoes, and flavored oatmeal, then work your way toward a regular diet when your teeth allow.

Most people resume their normal diet after a few days to a week of getting their braces on!

Dr. King or Dr. Welch will be able to tell you this once he or she completes your complimentary exam! The length of your treatment will depend on your specific condition, the severity of your condition, the type of treatment you choose, and your smile goals.

Treatment with braces generally averages around 12 to 24 months. Yours may be shorter or longer. It just depends!

Your treatment plan is personalized to you. Dr. King and Dr. Welch don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach to orthodontic treatment, because it’s not practical. We see the best results when we take a comprehensive approach toward orthodontic treatment—otherwise known as the King Method.

Not at Jupiter Orthodontics! We offer Damon™ Clear braces, INBRACE lingual braces, metal braces and Invisalign clear aligners. Each type of braces has its own unique benefits.

We provide a variety of orthodontic treatments, because we know no two patients are the same! Everyone lives a different lifestyle and has different preferences. Whether you prefer an invisible treatment option (like Invisalign or INBRACE) or you prefer a faster, more comfortable alternative to traditional braces (like Damon Clear), we have a treatment option that’ll make you smile.

Yes, no matter which type of braces you choose, you or your child can continue playing sports! During practices and games, it’s incredibly important that you wear a mouthguard to protect your cheeks, gums, teeth and other players from damage.

Depending on your preferences, Invisalign® or INBRACE (behind-the-teeth braces) may be better suited for you if you’re a sports player, but you can still play sports no matter which type of braces you choose!

Your condition and its severity will determine how long your braces will be in place. A typical braces treatment might last around 18 to 24 months, while other cases may require a 3-year treatment period. Depending on the appliances attached to your braces and how diligent you’re wearing them, your treatment period may be extended or cut short. At your initial exam with Dr. King, he’ll assess your condition and discuss your estimated treatment period.

Yes, this is normal! The whole purpose of braces is to shift your teeth into alignment. This shifting inevitably causes some teeth wiggling. Your teeth may wiggle mildly during your treatment and for a few months after your treatment. Once they stabilize in their final position, after your braces are removed and you’re wearing your retainer regularly, they’ll stop wiggling.

If you notice considerable wiggling during your treatment and you’re concerned, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Dr. King or Dr. Welch will assess your condition to assure you that your teeth are shifting as expected!

Trust us, it happens! These are what we call “common orthodontic emergencies.” Throughout your orthodontic treatment, you may experience a loose wire or broken bracket. If you do, don’t worry!

If your bracket pops off, try to save the bracket and bring it with you to your appointment. If you can’t save the bracket, that’s okay too. Give us a call and we’ll see you as soon as possible to fix your bracket.

If a wire pops loose, try to push the wire back into the bracket. Have someone help you, if possible. At the beginning of your orthodontic treatment, we’ll give you some orthodontic wax to use in these situations! You can pull a piece of wax off, roll it into a ball and stick it to the end of the wire to protect your cheeks and gums. You can use orthodontic wax at any time during your treatment if your braces are bothering you!

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us! We’d love to hear from you. Our team is here to help guide you through your transformation.

Ready to get started? Request your complimentary consultation with Dr. King or Dr. Welch, leading orthodontists in Jupiter.