Braces in Eugene, OR
Getting braces is a right of passage for many children and teens – in fact, over 80% of kids will have braces before they turn 19. If you are a parent with a child between the ages of 7 and 14, chances are you may be meeting with one of our trusted orthodontics soon. Fortunately, our team is well-versed in answering all of your questions when it comes to braces, Invisalign, and other orthodontic treatments.
Living with Braces
Every patient has unique dental needs. Only you and the orthodontic team at Paventy & Brown will know what option is best. No matter what treatment you decide on, adjusting to living with braces can take a couple of weeks. Here are some things to consider:
Diet/Foods – You will need to avoid certain foods if you opt for any option other than Invisalign. Sticky foods or hard candies can break brackets or other parts of your braces.
Dental Hygiene – It is very important to adhere to a strict dental routine to avoid cavities and to ensure the successful completion of treatment. For traditional braces, brushing and utilizing water piks after every meal will keep your teeth and gums healthy. If you are an Invisalign patient, rinsing out your aligners frequently, removing the aligners while you eat, and brushing/flossing regularly will keep you on track.
Speech – In general, most people will adjust to speaking with braces after a week or two.
General Soreness – When you first get your braces, you may notice that your teeth and mouth feel a little tender or sore. This is perfectly normal and we promise your mouth will not be sore forever! To relieve the pain, we recommend dissolving one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of lukewarm water. Swish and gargle this solution in your mouth for just a couple of minutes (do not swallow the saltwater).
Caring for Your Braces
Just like caring for your teeth, you will want to take care of your braces and appliances. Depending on which type of braces you get, our team will explain the best way to clean and care for them – including recommending water piks, approved flossing techniques, frequency of brushing, and what types of foods/snacks to stay away from.
Loose or Broken Appliances
The wires and bands on your braces may come loose. If this happens, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can check and repair your appliance. We offer emergency orthodontics services. If any piece of your appliance comes off, be sure to save it and bring it to the office with you.
You can temporarily fix the loose wire by using the back of a spoon or the eraser end of a pencil to carefully and gently push the wire back into place. If the loose wire is causing irritation to your lips or cheeks, put wax or a wet cotton ball over the broken wire to relieve the pain.
Get Started with an Orthodontic Consult
Children will most likely see an orthodontist after they turn 7 years old. If your dentist has referred you to us, or you found us and are seeking more information, we encourage you to schedule an orthodontic consult today! We look forward to meeting with you.
