Getting braces can be an exciting milestone in your life, as you take the journey to a healthier, more confident smile. However, it is natural to feel some anticipation and anxiety about the process. While this anxiety is common, knowing what to expect on your first day with braces can help make this transition much easier for everyone involved.

At Bailey Orthodontics, we understand how daunting this experience can be, especially if you don’t know anyone who has gone through it before. However, with proper education and a trustworthy orthodontic team, your first day with braces can go incredibly smoothly. If you are about to get your braces installed and you’re feeling a little nervous, keep reading to learn what to expect on your first day with braces. 

The Fitting Process

The fitting process during your first day with braces can be a little daunting. On average, your fitting may take 1-2 hours. There are several steps in this process, including:

• Dental Cleaning: Your orthodontist will start your fitting by thoroughly cleaning and drying your teeth.
• Bonding: After your cleaning, a special adhesive will be applied to your teeth to attach the brackets. You may notice a strange taste in your mouth during this process, but the adhesive is harmless. 
• Placement: Next, your orthodontist will place the brackets on your teeth, followed by threading your archwire through your brackets. 
• Securing: Small elastic bands, also known as ligatures or o-rings, will be used to secure the wire. These come in different colors, and you can choose your favorite ones. 

Initial Discomfort

It is normal to feel some discomfort on your first day with braces. Some of the most common discomforts you may experience include: 

• Soreness: Your teeth and gums may feel sore or tender immediately following the installation of your braces. This soreness is due to your teeth beginning to move. 
• Pressure: As your braces begin to exert force on your teeth, you may notice that you feel a bit of pressure. 
• Irritation: The tissue in your mouth may be sensitive as it adjusts to the addition of brackets and wires, leading to a bit of irritation inside your cheeks and lips. 

While irritation is a common part of the first day of braces, there are a few things you can do to make this process a little more comfortable. If you’re dealing with discomfort from your braces, consider trying the following: 

• Over-the-Counter Pain Medication: Medications like ibuprofen and acetaminophen can help alleviate some of the initial discomfort you may experience.
• Orthodontic Wax: If your brackets or wires are causing irritation, you might want to consider applying orthodontic wax to your brackets to protect the tissue in your mouth. 
• Soft Foods: On your first day with braces, it is best to stick to soft foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, and smoothies to avoid further discomfort. 

Adjusting on Your First Day with Braces

Adapting to braces can be a slow process. However, there are a few tips you can follow to make the transition smoother:

• Speech: You might notice a slight lisp or difficulty pronouncing certain words, especially on your first day with braces. This is temporary and will improve as you grow accustomed to your braces. You may want to speak out loud to begin adjusting. 
• Eating: There are several foods you’ll need to give up when you get braces. Eating the wrong foods can damage your braces. Some foods you’ll need to avoid include sticky caramels and gums, hard nuts and candies, and chewy, tough meats and bagels.
• Cleaning: Keeping up with regular cleaning is essential. Remember to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste between every meal, and floss to remove any additional food. You may also want to invest in interdental flossers to get into hard-to-reach areas.  

Follow-Up Appointments

It is important that you remember to attend follow-up appointments. Typically, you will visit your orthodontist every 4-6 weeks. During these visits, your orthodontist will perform the necessary adjustments. These adjustments may include tightening your braces, which can cause some discomfort similar to your first day with braces. 

They will also check the progress of the movement of your teeth and make changes as they see necessary. If you experience any problems between appointments, like orthodontic emergencies, it is important that you reach out to your team to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. 

Positive Mindset

While the discomfort you may experience on your first day with braces can be frustrating, it is important to remember that this is temporary. Instead, try to focus on the end results, as imagining your straight smile can help you stay motivated. There are a few ways to stay positive throughout this process, including: 

• Take Progress Photos: Document your journey with regular photos to see the improvements over time.
• Celebrate Milestones: Treat yourself to a reward after each orthodontic appointment or as you reach new milestones.
• Keep a Good Support System: Share your experience with friends or join forums to connect with others who have braces, as they can support you if times ever get tough.

 An Orthodontic Team You Can Trust

Whether it is your first day with braces or you’re nearing the end of the process, working with a reliable orthodontic team is essential. If you’re looking for a reliable orthodontic team in the Farmington or Bountiful, Utah, area, turn to our team at Bailey Orthodontics. We’ve provided reliable orthodontic services to patients across the area for years, making us the best fit for your orthodontic journey as well.

In addition to our amazing team, we provide patients with a variety of online resources to ensure the entire orthodontic process goes as smoothly as possible. When you partner with us, you can trust that you have the best team on your side. If you are ready to schedule an appointment with our team or if you have more questions about your first day with braces, don’t hesitate to contact us. 

Orthodontic treatment is a great way to transform your smile, align your teeth, and enhance your oral health. However, beyond the visible changes, there is another aspect of orthodontics that often goes under the radar: its impact on your speech. From braces to clear aligners, orthodontic appliances can affect how you speak.

While changes in your speech due to orthodontic devices can be frustrating, there are several things you can do to adjust to them. At Bailey Orthodontics, our experienced team is well-equipped to guide you through your orthodontic journey, ensuring you feel confident and reassured. If you are concerned about your new or upcoming orthodontic device’s impact on your ability to speak, keep reading to see what our team recommends. 

How Orthodontic Appliances Influence Your Speech

Many orthodontic devices, including braces, clear aligners, and retainers, can impact the way you sound when you speak. Some of the ways that each orthodontic device can impact your speech include: 

• Braces: Braces consist of brackets, wires, and bands that are fixed to the teeth. While effective in straightening teeth, braces can initially cause some speech changes. The presence of brackets and wires may interfere with tongue movements, affecting pronunciation, particularly of certain sounds like “s,” “th,” and “sh.”
• Clear Aligners: Clear aligners, such as Invisalign, are removable trays that gradually shift teeth into alignment. While they offer the benefit of being nearly invisible, it’s important to note that any speech changes are usually temporary and part of the adjustment period. Some patients may experience a temporary lisp during this time as they get used to speaking with the aligners in place.
• Retainer: Retainers are custom-made devices worn after orthodontic treatment to maintain the results. Depending on the type of retainer (fixed or removable), they may have minimal impact on speech. However, some patients may notice slight changes in articulation initially.

Common Concerns and How to Address Them

If your orthodontist has recently recommended you get braces or clear aligners, you may be concerned about their impact on your speech. While there are several concerns you may experience about the addition of a new orthodontic device, there are several things you can do to address these concerns and adapt to this change:

1. Lisping or Slurred Speech

If you’ve recently gotten braces or clear aligners, it may impact your speech, including slurred speech or lisping. While this can be frustrating, it is important to understand that this is often a temporary effect and improves with time. You simply need time to adjust to this change. If your speech difficulties persist, you may want to consider speech therapy. Speech therapists can provide exercises and techniques to improve articulation and clarity. 

2. Discomfort and Irritation

Discomfort and irritation that may impact your speech are to be expected, especially after you’ve just gotten your new orthodontic device. You may also experience some discomfort after adjustments. If your pain persists, you may want to speak to your orthodontist. Adjustments can often be made to alleviate this pain without compromising the efficiency of your orthodontic treatment. 

3. Embarrassment or Self-Consciousness

For many orthodontic patients, especially those who are younger, there may be a lot of embarrassment and self-consciousness about the significant change to your speech. If this is the case, it may be a good idea to speak to your orthodontist or family and friends. With their reassurance and support throughout this transition, you should begin to feel more confident with your new orthodontic device.  

4. Difficulty Pronouncing Certain Sounds

With the addition of an orthodontic device, you may notice that you struggle to pronounce certain sounds. While this change in your speech can be frustrating, persistent practice can help you overcome these difficulties. If you’re noticing speech difficulties, read aloud or practice tongue exercises recommended by your orthodontist. As you continue practicing, you should begin to speak as you did prior to the addition of your orthodontic device. 

Adapt to New Devices with the Help of Bailey Orthodontics

If you are struggling with changes to your speech, working with a reliable orthodontic team is a great way to begin adjusting. If you are looking for a team in the Bountiful or Farmington area that can help you through the orthodontic process, turn to our team at Bailey Orthodontics. For over 20 years, our team has provided the most reliable orthodontic treatments to patients across the Wasatch Front.

In addition to our team of experts, we provide patients with plenty of online resources to ensure the orthodontic process goes as smoothly as possible. Whether you’re preparing for traditional braces or clear aligners, our team is here and ready to help you start your orthodontic journey. If you would like to schedule an appointment with our orthodontic team to start the process, don’t hesitate to reach out to us today. 

In recent years, DIY orthodontic treatments have gained traction on social media, promising a straighter smile without the hassle of frequent orthodontist visits. DIY orthodontic solutions, ranging from 3D-printed clear aligners to homemade braces, have flooded the market. However, while these treatments may seem appealing, DIY orthodontics may compromise the aesthetics and health of your smile. 

At Bailey Orthodontics, we understand the desire to achieve a straighter, more aesthetically pleasing smile from the comfort of your home. However, we also understand the risks associated with attempting to make major changes to your smile on your own. If you want to learn more about DIY orthodontics and the danger it poses to your oral health, keep reading. 

What are DIY Orthodontics? 

Over the last few years, videos of people attempting DIY orthodontics have flooded the internet. These videos often feature DIY orthodontic devices like 3D-printed clear aligners, braces made of rubber bands, bobby pins, and paper clips, and retainers made of rubber or aluminum foil. 

While the convenience and potential cost savings of achieving a perfect smile may be appealing, these DIY orthodontic devices may come with dire consequences. Without the expertise of a trained orthodontist, you risk misdiagnosing and worsening orthodontic issues. 

Additionally, the lack of professional oversight increases the risk of complications such as tooth damage, root resorption, or gum recession going unnoticed. While the idea of at-home orthodontics may seem appealing, it’s crucial to consider the potential risks and benefits carefully before embarking on such a journey.

Do DIY Braces Work? 

The effectiveness of DIY orthodontics is a contentious issue within the online dental community. Some individuals have reported minor improvements in the alignment of their teeth using their DIY orthodontic devices. However, the overall consensus among orthodontic professionals is that DIY braces are unreliable and potentially harmful. 

Unlike professional orthodontic treatment, which involves careful diagnosis, precise treatment planning, and regular supervision, DIY orthodontics lacks the expertise and oversight necessary for safe and effective tooth movement. Without proper monitoring, DIY braces can lead to unintended damage to your overall oral health.

Additionally, the materials used in DIY braces may not have been designed or tested for orthodontic purposes, posing additional risks to oral health. While DIY braces may appear to offer a quick fix for misaligned teeth, their effectiveness is questionable, and the potential risks far outweigh any perceived benefits.

The Dangers of At-Home Orthodontics

Although attempting treatment on your own may seem like a reliable and cost-effective method, there are several significant risks to DIY orthodontics. Some of these risks include: 

• Misdiagnosis: Professional orthodontic care includes an initial assessment from a trained orthodontist. Without this assessment, you may inaccurately diagnose your orthodontic issue, leading to inappropriate treatment plans. Over time, DIY orthodontics may result in exacerbated and costly oral problems. 
• Unsupervised Treatment: DIY orthodontics lacks the oversight of a qualified dental professional. While going through orthodontic treatment, patients attend regular check-ups to ensure the success of their treatments. Without regular check-ins from a professional, you increase the chance of complications, such as tooth damage, going unnoticed until they are more severe. 
• Inadequate Treatment: While homemade aligners may seem like a cost-effective alternative to professional orthodontics, they lack the precision and effectiveness of professional appliances. Improperly aligned teeth may result in bite problems, jaw pain, and relapse, requiring additional corrective measures in the long run. 
• Delayed Treatment: Attempting to straighten your teeth at home may lead to delays in seeking proper orthodontic care. While this might not seem detrimental, ignoring underlying issues can worsen over time, resulting in more extensive and costly treatments later on. 
• Health Risks: Homemade braces and other orthodontic devices can pose serious health risks, including tooth loss, infection, and irreversible damage to your teeth and support structures. Improperly applied force can cause tooth movement in unintended directions, resulting in potentially irreparable harm. 

The Benefits of Professional Orthodontic Care

While DIY orthodontics might sound appealing, the drawbacks far outweigh any benefits you might experience. Instead of relying on these at-home options, it is in your best interest to seek professional orthodontic care. Some of the most significant benefits of relying on professional treatment for orthodontic problems include: 

• Expert Diagnosis: Orthodontists undergo extensive training to accurately diagnose and treat orthodontic issues and develop customized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s unique needs.
• Supervised Treatment: Regular visits to the orthodontist ensure that treatment progresses as intended, with adjustments made as necessary to achieve optimal results while minimizing risks.
• Safe and Effective Appliances: Professional orthodontic appliances, such as braces or clear aligners, are designed and monitored by experts to ensure safe and precise tooth movement, reducing the likelihood of complications.
• Comprehensive Care: Orthodontists not only address cosmetic concerns but also prioritize the long-term health and functionality of the teeth and jaws, addressing underlying issues to achieve a stable and harmonious bite.
• Patient Education and Support: Professional orthodontic care involves patient education on proper oral hygiene, dietary habits, and maintenance of orthodontic appliances, empowering individuals to take an active role in their oral health. 

Achieve Your Dream Smile at Bailey Orthodontics

DIY orthodontics pose a significant risk to your oral health and function, making professional orthodontic treatment essential. If you are looking for an orthodontic office in Northern Utah to help you through this process, turn to our team at Bailey Orthodontics. We provide a variety of orthodontic treatments, including traditional braces and clear aligners, to help you achieve the smile of your dreams. 

If you ever have any questions, our teams at our Farmington and Bountiful offices are here to help. Additionally, we provide a variety of online resources to help you navigate your orthodontic treatment. If you would like to schedule an appointment with our orthodontic team or you have any questions for us, don’t hesitate to reach out to us today.