How Long Do Braces Take To Work?

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Orthodontist In London Waterloo | Whites Dental

Orthodontic Braces & Invisalign In London | Whites Dental

How Long Do Braces Take To Work?

“How long do fixed orthodontic braces take to work?”- this question has no set answer although it is often asked by lots of adults in London. The shift in your teeth’s position is gradual and will be different for every person wearing braces. Our orthodontic dentists at Whites Dental would be delighted to help you create beautiful straight teeth and answer any questions you have regarding orthodontic braces. We provide a range of braces treatments near Elephant and Castle and London Bridge, including Damon Fast braces, Ceramic brace, Invisalign braces, clear brace and also hidden lingual braces. We are located in London Waterloo, adjacent to Southwark Station or a quick walk from Waterloo rail station (about 5min).

Will Braces Be Uncomfortable?

It is normal to be concerned about the comfort of braces. At the beginning, you may experience some discomfort since brace apply gentle, even pressure on the teeth. This can lead to a dull aching sensation. Your dentist will advise that you only eat soft foods at the start and take over the counter painkillers if the discomfort continues.

How Long Do Braces Take To Work orthodontist in london | Whites Dental

It can take a week or two to get used to the feeling of the brackets and wires in your mouth, but after that, it should not regularly feel uncomfortable or unpleasant. The amount of discomfort varies from patient to patient, but it is not unbearable or excessive.

Eating with Braces

At the beginning, you will probably want to stick to soft, easy to eat foods like mashed potatoes, smoothies, soups, and oatmeal. Once any discomfort goes away, you can continue eating most of your normal foods. The shape of brace usually prevents you from biting down firmly on hard or crunchy food items. You may need to start cutting your food into smaller pieces that can fit into your mouth easily. You will also need to avoid sticky, gooey foods such as caramel or gum because it can be almost impossible to remove them from the brackets and arch wire. You do not want food to remain stuck in your braces because it can create areas for oral bacteria to grow and cause cavities.

Cleaning Your Teeth with Braces

It might be a little tricky to clean your teeth with braces on, but it is definitely important if not more important than before to practice good oral hygiene. If you do not maintain good oral hygiene, plaque can build up and harden around the brackets. If you do not regularly clean your teeth, you can end up with lighter stains where the brackets were when the brace are removed. Bad hygiene can also lead to cavities which will cause problems. To avoid getting all these issues, make sure you are cleaning your teeth thoroughly. Try to brush your teeth after every meal to remove any food particles that can get stuck under the wires. You should brush your teeth for two minutes at least twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste. Keep in mind that brace tend to wear down toothbrush bristles quicker than normal, so you will probably need to replace it more than every three months. Do not forget flossing! Flossing is very important especially when you are wearing brace. It will be harder to floss with braces on but instead of traditional floss, try to get a flossing threader designed for patients with brace.