Life with Braces in Jacksonville, FL

Soreness Caused from Braces and Appliances

When you first get your braces, you may notice that your teeth and mouth feel a little tender or sore. This is perfectly normal! To relieve discomfort, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever.

As you adjust to your orthodontic appliances, irritation on your lips, cheeks, tongue, or gums may appear. For this we recommend dissolving one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of lukewarm water. Swish this salt solution in your mouth for thirty seconds to one minute and spit, to help reduce inflammation and irritation. We provide you with wax to help cushion your lips and cheeks as you adjust to the braces. This is a great additional tool to help with sore spots.

Loose Teeth

If your teeth begin feeling a little loose, don't worry! This is normal and part of the process of straightening your smile. Your braces must first loosen your teeth to move them into the right position. Once your teeth have been repositioned, they will no longer be loose.

Loose Wires and Bands

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. 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, place wax over the broken wire to relieve the pain.

Take Care of Your Appliances

Damaged appliances can increase the length of your treatment, so be sure to take care of your appliances. Your teeth and jaws can only move into their correct positions if you consistently wear the rubber bands, headgear, or other appliances prescribed by your doctor.

Playing Sports with Braces

Game, Set, Match — you can still play sports during orthodontic treatment! We recommended that you wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth and your appliances. Let your doctor know if you need help finding the right mouthguard for the best protection.

If you have a sport emergency, please immediately check your mouth and appliance for damage. If you notice any loose teeth or appliance damage, please contact our office right away.