Your
First Days

The first few days will be your biggest adjustment period, so we’ve created this page with that in mind. Below are a few useful guidelines to help you in your new smile style.

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Braces

Sore Teeth

After braces are placed in the mouth, it is normal for the teeth to be sore for about 2 to 3 days. Tylenol or Advil/Motrin will help relieve this discomfort. Some irritation to the cheeks and tongue is normal, but if you feel anything sharp is poking you, please call our office at 843.293.3522.

Eating Habits

Please do not eat hard foods including nuts, ice, crisp taco shells, whole apples and carrots (cut them into pieces first), hard French bread crust and rolls, spare ribs, corn on the cob (cut the corn off the cob before eating) and popcorn! These foods can cause breakage of the brackets and wires.

Also, beware of nail biting and pen or pencil chewing habits, since these can damage your braces. Do not eat sticky foods like taffy, caramels, bubble gum, or sticky candy of any sort. Use common sense about most foods. Excessive broken appliances due to careless eating habits may result in additional charges for repair.

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Invisalign

Sore Teeth

While wearing Invisalign, it is normal for the teeth to be sore for about 2 to 3 days. Tylenol or Advil/Motrin will help relieve this discomfort. Some irritation to the cheeks and tongue is normal.

Eating Habits

Get in the habit of removing your aligners before eating and drinking. This keeps your aligner in good working shape and allows you to eat and drink whatever you like during treatment. The aligners are made of plastic resin so heat can distort and damage them. Also, eating while wearing the aligners will cause sugar and other food particles to stay on your teeth, which contributes to plaque and tooth decay. Don’t chew gum while wearing aligners.

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Retainers

If your retainer is new, don’t worry your speech will return to normal, with the appliance in place, within two to three days. You may experience a couple days or teeth soreness, especially if new or after an adjustment. If you have a sore spot on your gums, call our office so that we can arrange to adjust the appliance.

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Steps to make a part of each visit:

We want your braces to be as comfortable as possible. Our technicians will make sure that irritation is minimized and you receive an optimal response to treatment. You can play a part, too.

• Use your tongue, check to see that the wire ends do not extend into areas that might poke or rub your cheek or tongue. Let us know if it does, and we’ll fix it before you leave.
• Make sure you understand what you need to do until your next appointment. This might include wearing headgear or elastics as instructed, adjusting the expander or following specific hygiene or diet instructions.
• Make sure you have an adequate supply of wax, special cleaning aids, elastic bands, or other related materials you may need between appointments. Ask us for anything you are running low on.
• Before you leave, schedule your next appointment. Appointments are programmed 4-8 weeks in advance. Postponing appointments is a common contributor to overtime treatment.