Your Guide to Life With Braces

What to Expect with Your New Braces

What You Need to Know as You Start Treatment

Getting your new braces is an exciting step towards achieving a beautiful, healthy smile. At American Pediatric Dental Group in South Florida, we’re committed to making your experience with braces as smooth and successful as possible. From understanding what to expect to mastering the care of your braces, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

What to Expect During Life With Braces

Adjustment Period: Initially, you may experience some discomfort as your teeth and mouth adjust to the braces. This is normal and should ease within a few days. Soft foods and over-the-counter pain relief can help manage any soreness.
Regular Appointments: You’ll have scheduled appointments for adjustments, typically every 4-6 weeks. These are essential for progressing your treatment and ensuring the best outcome.
Duration of Treatment: The length of time you’ll need to wear braces varies depending on individual needs, but on average, it ranges from 18 months to 3 years. Patience and adherence to care instructions are key to achieving your new smile.

Caring for Your Braces

Oral Hygiene: Maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial while wearing braces. Remove food particles and plaque by brushing after every meal and flossing daily using tools like floss threaders or water flossers designed specifically for braces.
Eating with Braces: Avoid hard, sticky, and chewy foods that can damage your braces. Opt for softer foods and cut larger items into smaller pieces to protect your braces and ease eating.
Protecting Your Braces: Wear a mouthguard during sports or physical activities to protect your braces and mouth from injury.

Dealing with Discomfort and Minor Issues

Managing Discomfort: Mild pain relievers and orthodontic wax can help manage any discomfort or irritation from braces rubbing against your cheeks or lips.
Addressing Minor Issues: If you encounter issues like a loose bracket or poking wire, contact our office for advice or to schedule a repair appointment. Many minor issues can be temporarily managed at home until you can visit us.

Maintaining Your Healthy New Smile After Braces

The Big Reveal: Once your braces are removed, you’ll see your new, beautiful smile for the first time, a rewarding moment for all the dedication and care you’ve invested.
Retention: To maintain the results achieved with braces, you’ll transition to a retainer. Wearing your retainer as directed is crucial to prevent teeth from shifting back to their original positions.

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Why South Florida Families Trust Us

Patient Reviews of American Pediatric Dental Group

An incredibly wonderful dental clinic, its staff is highly qualified, a very professional and friendly staff, very attentive, the treatment of children being the best I have ever seen. I recommend this clinic and its doctors and technical staff 100%.

Doctors are very friendly and understanding with kids, and also take parents in consideration to join the process and explain everything you need to know about your child's dental health. Making and rescheduling appointments is very easy. And there's almost no wait time.

Super attentive and knowledgeable. I appreciate how clearly the doctor explained everything and takes time to answer questions. Very gentle and thorough with my options.

The office is so clean and welcoming, and the staff makes children feel so comfortable. The way that they give details on what each child needs was so good. I’m happy that we made the decision to switch dental offices and come to American Pediatric Dental.

Amazing experience! I have been bringing my kids here for a while but today was the best experience yet. The dental hygienist was so patient and caring.

I've been taking my son here for more than 10 years. The staff are super nice and very professional as well as the doctors. I recommend this dentist to everyone.