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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

Kari C.
This is our second child receiving braces at Craig & Streight and we could not be happier. The staff is kind, efficient, and happy to answer all of our questions.
Michael T.
Everyone at the Mustang location is amazing... They are always polite and know exactly what they are supposed to do... Very professional... I have and will continue to refer people to use Craig and Streight Orthodontics...
Response from the owner:Hi Michael. Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that our Mustang team has made such a positive impression on you. Your referrals mean a lot to us, and we’re dedicated to maintaining the high standards of professionalism and care that you’ve experienced. We appreciate your support!
Lacey C.
Friendly, explained everything well, felt very comfortable there. Had great games for the kids while waiting.
Response from the owner:Hi Lacey. Thank you for sharing your experience! We're delighted to hear that you felt comfortable and that our team took the time to explain everything. It's great to know the kids enjoyed the games while waiting. We appreciate your feedback and look forward to seeing you again!
Sherree M.
We always have a good experience at Craig & Streight. The staff is always friendly and helpful. They make my son at ease and he loves to earn "punches" so he can get a prize after so many visits.
Response from the owner:Hi Sherree. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We're delighted to hear that our team has made your visits enjoyable and that your son is having fun earning his prizes. We truly appreciate your feedback and look forward to continuing to provide a positive environment for you and your family!
Q E
Goodbye, braces! I have finally completed my treatment! I want to thank all the staff members, especially Francis, who was exceptionally kind and went above and beyond to help me. I have hearing loss in one ear, and she was able to understand me perfectly. She is truly an amazing person.
Response from the owner:Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We're thrilled to hear about your successful treatment and the positive impact our team, especially Francis, had on your journey. Your feedback inspires us to continue providing exceptional care. Wishing you all the best as you embrace your new smile!
Christina C.
Friendly staff. They answered all of our questions and put my daughter at ease to start her braces journey.
Response from the owner:Hi Christina. Thank you! We are thrilled that you had such a positive experience with our orthodontic practice!
JoAnn T.
Wow!! This place is so friendly! Makayla was so informative and friendly.
Response from the owner:Hi Joann. Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a positive experience and that Makayla made a great impression. Our team is dedicated to providing a welcoming environment, and it’s fantastic to know we’re hitting the mark. We look forward to seeing you again soon!
Nicole C.
We had such a great initial visit at C&S! My kids can’t wait to go back!!
Response from the owner:Hi Nicole. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We're thrilled to hear that you and your kids had a great first visit. We look forward to welcoming you back soon!
Melanie M.
Staff is always so kind, informative and they answer all the questions you may have. Both doctors are amazing and do not rush you out. They explain everything and take their time with each patient. They are a 10/10
Response from the owner:Hi Melanie. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We’re thrilled to hear that our staff and doctors made such a positive impact during your visit. We look forward to seeing you again!
Teri J.
Great place! Everyone is friendly. Great experience for all 3 of my kids. They did awesome with my autistic son.
Response from the owner:Hi Teri. We're thrilled to hear that you and your kids had such a positive experience with our team. Creating a welcoming environment for all families is our priority, and it’s heartening to know that your son felt supported. We appreciate your kind words and look forward to seeing you all again!
Jaidyn S.
Had a great experience! They were quick and helped me decide the best option for me!
Response from the owner:Hi Jaidyn. Thank you for sharing your positive experience! We're delighted to hear that our team was able to assist you efficiently and help you find the best option. :)
Jessie W.
Easy to work with and very flexible with scheduling! Orthodontists and staff are very kind and thorough as well!
Response from the owner:Hey Jessie. Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're delighted to hear that our team has made your experience smooth and accommodating. Your kind words about our staff and their thoroughness mean a lot to us. We look forward to continuing to provide you with excellent care!
Amanda H.
We had the best experience. They were all so kind and patient with my girl!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words about us and our staff!
Blair B
I'm a fairly new patient but the office staff provides a very warming, thoughtful environment and I love the app and feedback I receive with my Invisalign process. I've been quite impressed with the clinic and Dr thus far and can't wait to receive my final results... a beautiful smile!!!<3
Response from the owner:We appreciate you taking the time to leave us feedback on your experience. We work very hard every day to exceed our patients’ expectations!
Sharkbait M.
I had a fantastic experience at this clean and modern orthodontist office! From the moment I walked in, I was impressed by the bright, welcoming atmosphere and the state-of-the-art equipment. The staff is incredibly friendly, professional, and attentive, making every visit comfortable and stress-free. The orthodontist took the time to explain my treatment options clearly and answered all my questions with patience and care. I truly appreciate the attention to detail and the commitment to maintaining a spotless environment. I highly recommend this office to anyone looking for top-quality orthodontic care in a contemporary, inviting setting!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted to hear that you had such a positive experience in our office. Creating a welcoming atmosphere and providing attentive care are top priorities for us, and it’s great to know that our team made your visits comfortable and informative. We truly appreciate your recommendation and look forward to continuing to provide you with excellent orthodontic care!

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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706 24th Ave NW
Norman, OK 73069

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

405.321.1926

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