6 Things to Do Before Getting Braces

Whether you’re a teen or an adult, one thing is clear: the old stigma around braces is well and truly behind us. These days, people happily look forward to working toward a straighter smile. If you’re about to begin, here are a few practical things you can do to prepare, whether you’re going with traditional braces or clear aligners.

A little groundwork now tends to make the whole experience smoother once treatment is underway.

1. Take care of any other dental work first

Sometimes other dental work needs to happen before braces begin. A common example is removing wisdom teeth so they don’t interfere with alignment. Your dental team will let you know if anything needs sorting beforehand.

2. Get used to braces-friendly eating

If you’re going with traditional braces, eating takes a little adjustment. Sticky foods like lollies and hard foods like whole apples tend to get caught in braces, so it helps to know what to expect and adapt how you eat them. (Clear aligner wearers sidestep this, since the trays come out before eating.)

3. Sort out a mouthguard if you play sport

If you’re an athlete, a mouthguard is worth organising to protect your teeth during sport. With traditional braces in particular, a knock to the face can cause cuts inside the mouth, so that extra protection is especially valuable.

4. Book your appointments ahead

Orthodontic treatment involves regular check-ins so we can make sure things are progressing as they should. Getting these booked in advance means you can lock in times that suit you for those quick, routine visits.

5. Have some pain relief on hand

When traditional wires are adjusted, or when you switch to the next aligner in the series, it’s common to feel some mild soreness for a day or two. Having a suitable over-the-counter pain reliever ready can make those first days more comfortable.

6. Take a "before" photo

Finally, a fun one: take a selfie before you start. Many people enjoy looking back and seeing how their smile has changed over the course of treatment, and we’ll take progress photos in the practice too.

Ready to get started?

You’re well on your way toward a straighter smile. If you have any questions, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch with TMJ Therapy Centre on (03) 9804 7454 today.