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Braces Survival Guide

Home » Blog » Braces Survival Guide

smiling teen girl

Learning that your smile could benefit from braces can be an overwhelming experience. On the one hand, it’s exciting to know you’re about to embark on an adventure that will end in a healthier, straighter smile. But on the other, there’s a lot of uncertainty – will they hurt? How long will I have to wear braces? How much will they change my appearance? Will I still be able to eat my favorite foods? It’s not unusual to end up feeling pretty apprehensive about the whole thing!

 

Here at Craig & Straight Orthodontics, we’re well aware of the reputation traditional braces can have, and we want to set your mind at ease if you’re worried about what’s to come with your treatment. To boost your confidence, we’ve put together this handy Braces Survival Guide. If the idea of having braces put on has you bummed out, we’ve got several tips and tricks to help take you from scared to prepared! Keep reading to arm yourself with some extra helpful orthodontic knowledge.

Preparation and relaxation

teenage girlIn the hours before your initial braces-on appointment, reach for an over the counter pain reliever like ibuprofen. Taking it before the procedure will help limit overall soreness. While you shouldn’t expect too much pain during the actual process itself, ibuprofen is great at preventing lingering discomfort during your appointment and in the days that follow.

You might also find that you have some pain at various times throughout your treatment. This can be caused by tooth movement, or by having your wires tightened during regular adjustment appointments. Once again, ibuprofen is recommended, since it reduces inflammation and provides pain relief.

No matter what you choose to help combat the post-braces pain, your mouth will probably still feel pretty sore at first. A simple trick you can try is rinsing your mouth out with salt water twice a day to help heal your irritated lips and cheeks. This also helps to keep your brackets and wires clean of food build-up, which is an important part of your dental hygiene routine. An oral pain relief gel-like Anbesol or Orajel can take the edge off any irritation or soreness in your cheeks or lips caused by your brackets or wires.

Don’t underestimate the power of taking it easy, either! Embrace the lazy lifestyle, at least temporarily. Get plenty of sleep and keep your activity to a minimum for the first day or two after getting your braces on. This is also good advice for the day of or the day after an adjustment appointment.

Wax on, wax off

The first week you have your braces on is likely to be the most uncomfortable. The good news is, there are several things you can do to combat any discomfort and pain you’re experiencing while your mouth adjusts to a major change. One of the most common complaints we hear from patients who are new to braces is irritation caused by the places where the wires rub the inside of the lips and cheeks. An orthodontic wax can fix you up in no time! Simply place a pea-size amount of wax over the bracket or wire causing the irritation for instant relief.

Focus on food

In the first few weeks of wearing braces, the wire you start off with will be quite thin. You’ll be moving on to more substantial wires in the future, but in the meantime, you’ll want to be mindful of what you’re putting in your mouth. Anything that’s really sticky, crunchy, chewy, or hard can damage your orthodontic treatment before it even gets going. Mashed potatoes, milkshakes, soups, and smoothies – these are just a few of the items you can eat and drink guilt-free while getting used to your new restrictions. It gets a whole lot easier after the first week or two, so don’t worry if you’re feeling overwhelmed just thinking about it all! And if all else fails, ice cream is totally an acceptable food group after getting braces put on or having them adjusted.

Keeping it clean

After your mac ‘n’ cheese and milkshake, make sure you head straight to the sink to do the whole dental hygiene thing! Keeping your teeth clean is super important all the time, but especially during orthodontic treatment. Not being vigilant about the cleanliness and health of your teeth can actually lead to extra time in braces, and nobody wants that. You should aim to brush and floss your teeth thoroughly at least twice a day, every day.  Some companies make toothbrushes and flossers that are designed to work especially for braces, making your job much easier. A water flosser such as the Waterpik is also an excellent option for keeping your mouth clean and irritant-free.

Up your selfie game

teenagers do selfieWho doesn’t love before and after photos? Keep track of your transformation by taking a photo before you have your new braces put on, then regular photos over time, ending with the big reveal of your brand new smile. This gives you a goal to look forward to and can make the whole process a little bit more satisfying and exciting. Bonus: you’ll have ample chances to improve your selfie skills and try out all those new Snapchat filters!

Craig & Streight care about your comfort

It’s our hope that by sharing these tips, we’ll be able to make your braces treatment a less stressful, more positive experience. It’s normal for braces to feel pretty foreign at first, but there’s no reason for them to be unnecessarily painful or uncomfortable. We want you to be confident in your journey to a healthier, straighter smile, and our friendly and experienced team will do whatever we can to make treatment as easy as possible for you.  If you’re looking for more information on traditional braces treatment in the Oklahoma City area, give us a call at one of our three conveniently located offices in Norman, Mustang, or South OKC. You can also schedule an initial consultation by clicking here. Remember, your comfort and confidence are priorities here at Craig & Streight Orthodontics. We can’t wait to work with you and your smile!

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Patient Testimonials

Hear what Our Patients Are Saying About
Their Experience With Us

Ila F.
The doctors and staff are professional and kind! Any issues have been immediately responded to and we have been very pleased with our child's care.
devinsellers
5 stars is an understatement
I feel like more than a patient when im there
Very thoughtful very helpful
Willing to work with my busy schedule
I've been going there for almost 3 years now and have yet to have a bad experience
10 out of 10 would recommend
Response from the owner:Hi Devin. Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you feel valued and supported during your visits. It's great to know that our team has been able to accommodate your schedule and provide a positive experience over the years. We truly appreciate your recommendation and look forward to continuing to serve you!
Joe A.
My daughter is very happy with her smile after her braces were off. We are very pleased with the outcome.
Response from the owner:Hi Joe. Thank you for sharing your wonderful feedback! We're delighted to hear that your daughter is so happy with her new smile. It's always rewarding to see such positive outcomes, and we appreciate your support!
Adam M.
Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. Easy to understand every step and get started that day with a journey to a better smile.
Response from the owner:Hi Adam. Thank you for your fantastic feedback! We're so glad to hear that our team made your experience enjoyable and clear. Your journey to a better smile is important to us, and we appreciate your support!
Hilary D.
Patient & kind staff. My kids were stoked to get t-shirts & play games while waiting.
Response from the owner:Hi Hilary. Thank you for sharing your experience! We're delighted to hear that our team made your visit enjoyable for both you and your kids. Creating a welcoming environment is important to us, and it's great to know that the t-shirts and games added to the fun. We appreciate your feedback!
Michelle B.
Such great staff and extremely attentive to making sure my treatment is effective. Love coming in!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review, Michelle! We're thrilled to hear that our staff has made a positive impact on your treatment experience. We look forward to seeing you at your next visit!
Rachel A.
We have been seeing Dr. Craig and Dr. Streight for about 18 months. They were recommended to us by several others, as well as our dentist. We have had a very positive experience. We are hopefully almost done, and our next child is starting to see them now as well. We are confident he is in good hands.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your 5-star review!
Mike C.
Did us a solid job. We agreed on a price and they held up their end. No complaints.
Response from the owner:Hey Mike. Thank you for your feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you had a positive experience and that everything went smoothly. Your satisfaction is important to us, and we appreciate your support!
Vanessa Monik R.
First, I am extremely thankful and happy with the customer service here at Craig & Streight orthodontics! After going to a total of 3 different Orthos, I decided CSO was perfect for my needs. I was able to get my braces on same day and they tailored a payment schedule to my budget. Kari and Ryan listened to me and answered all my questions. Thank you everyone! A BIG Thank you to the gal that applied my braces. I look forward to this journey with CSO!
Response from the owner:Hi Vanessa. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that our team was able to meet your needs and make your journey with braces a positive one. Your kind words about Kari, Ryan, and our staff mean a lot to us. We’re excited to support you every step of the way!
Alyssa C.
My kids and I had a great experience! The staff was informative, the new technology was impressive, and the pricing was very reasonable. We were in and out quickly with a same-day consultation, and they were able to start the services my son needed right away. Plus, the fun arcade games kept the kids entertained while we waited. Highly recommend!
Response from the owner:Hi Alyssa. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We're thrilled to hear that you and your kids enjoyed your visit and found our staff informative and our technology impressive. It's great to know that the quick service and entertainment options made your time with us enjoyable. We appreciate your recommendation and look forward to welcoming you back!
Jen K.
They are always encouraging and give her such positive feedback each time my daughter scans for her invisaline. Every step of the process has been excellent
Response from the owner:Hi Jen. Thank you for sharing your experience! It’s wonderful to hear that your daughter is receiving such positive encouragement throughout her Invisalign journey. We’re dedicated to making every step a great one, and your feedback truly motivates us to keep up the good work!
Susn J.
The best Orthodontist office you’ll ever find. Everyone goes above and beyond to help! Can’t imagine going anywhere else! The kids love going!
Response from the owner:Hi Susan. Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you and your kids have such a positive experience with our team. Our goal is to create a welcoming environment where everyone feels supported. We appreciate your trust in us and look forward to continuing to provide exceptional care!
Rachel D.
We went in for a consultation after a horrible consultation with another orthodontist and let me say Dr. Craig and her staff are absolutely AMAZING!! My daughter was super hesitant after the previous encounter with the other orthodontist but the staff here at Craig and Streight are top notch! They immediately eased my daughter's mind with their kindness! Went in for a consultation walked out with braces and a great office to take care of her dental needs! Thank you!!!
Response from the owner:Hi Rachel. Thank you for sharing your experience! We're thrilled to hear that Dr. Craig and our team were able to provide such a positive and reassuring environment for your daughter. It's wonderful to know that we could help ease her concerns and support her dental journey. We appreciate your trust in us and look forward to continuing to care for your family's needs!
kammy B.
Very kind very observant always asking and answering questions best dentist visit I’ve had by far
Response from the owner:Hi Kammy. Thank you for sharing your experience! We're thrilled to hear that our team made your visit so positive and engaging.
Jennifer M.
I’m on the Invisalign journey and 11 weeks in. The staff has been great on keeping me informed about my treatment. No matter your treatment plan - you can’t go wrong with this amazing team!
Response from the owner:Hi Jennifer. Thank you for sharing your experience! We're thrilled to hear that our team has been supportive and informative during your Invisalign journey. Your positive feedback motivates us to continue providing exceptional care. If you have any further thoughts or questions, feel free to reach out!

Our locations

Norman Office

706 24th Ave NW
Norman, OK 73069

Mustang Office

1476 N Mustang Rd
Mustang, OK 73064

South Oklahoma City

12100 S Western Ave
Oklahoma City, OK 73170

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Norman, OK 73069

1476 N. Mustang Rd.
Mustang, OK 73064
12100 S Western Ave Oklahoma City, OK 73170

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