Your first day in braces

Name: Haney Orthodontics
Telephone: 415-453-7880

Congratulations on your new braces! Here is what to expect during your first day of treatment.

During your appointment

Dr. Haney will spend the first part of this appointment preparing your teeth for braces before fixing the brackets to each one. This process should not cause any discomfort. We urge you to communicate with the staff if you have questions, are feeling uncomfortable, or need to take a break. We are here to make sure you are comfortable.

Once the brackets and wires are installed, the team will ask if you feel any poky wires or discomfort. Take a minute to feel around with your tongue and open and close your mouth. If you feel anything poking your gums, let the staff know. We can snip pesky wires and make small adjustments so that you leave our clinic as comfortable as possible.

After your appointment

As your teeth begin to move, you may feel some mild soreness. This is completely normal and can be relieved with ice, a salt rinse, or over-the-counter pain medications. The pain should not last for more than a couple of days. If you feel unusual discomfort or pain, give us a call.

You can eat as soon as you leave your appointment. We recommend sticking to soft foods for the first few hours as you get used to eating with braces. Smoothies, milkshakes, apple sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy, soft bread, and fruits are all good options for those first meals. If you choose to eat something denser, we suggest you cut it up into small, chewable pieces.

If you need any further advice or guidance, you can check out our “What Foods to avoid” guide.