Wearing orthodontic appliances such as braces or a plate can make it more difficult to keep teeth and gums healthy. While this requires patience and dedication, the result of a beautiful, healthy smile will be well worth it.
Getting used to new braces or a plate
Here are some common changes you may notice when you are first fitted with new braces or a plate.
Appearance
Your new braces or plate may make you feel self-conscious at first. However, orthodontic treatment is common, and you will notice many other people of different ages also wearing braces or a plate.
Modern orthodontics include different types of braces, some can be made to look invisible.
Speech
Your new braces or plate will make your mouth feel a little different and you may experience some difficulty with speech during the first few days. This will be noticeable if your braces or plate sit against the roof of your mouth and affect the movement of your tongue. Once your tongue gets used to the new feeling, speech will return to normal.
Braces or plates won't impede your speech in the long term. Practice speaking or reading out loud and in front of a mirror to help you get used to your braces or plate.
Eating
You can expect to experience some difficulty chewing when your braces or plate are fitted. Here are some tips to try, particularly for the first few weeks:
- cut your food into smaller pieces
- place only a small portion in your mouth
- try softer foods
- chew more slowly than usual.
While wearing braces, it's best to:
- maintain a balanced diet with limited sugary and acidic foods and drinks
- avoid foods with a sticky, chewy or hard texture that could break wires or dislodge brackets such as hard and chew lollies, and gum
- avoid foods that you have to bite into forcefully such as raw carrots and whole apples.
Learn more about the foods you can and can't eat with braces.
Tenderness and sore spots
You may occasionally develop sore spots or tenderness from your braces or plate. This usually only occurs after the initial fitting or an adjustment. Minor sore spots usually heal in a day or so. Using an orthodontic wax and warm, saltwater mouth rinses may help.
If soreness persists, see your orthodontist. Continue to wear your elastics or plate until your appointment, as leaving them out will prolong treatment and make it harder for the orthodontist to pinpoint the problem area.
Caring for teeth during orthodontic treatment
Good oral hygiene, including regular toothbrushing and flossing, will help prevent tooth decay while undergoing orthodontic treatment.
If you need treatment for tooth decay during the time you are wearing braces, you may need your braces removed and then re-fitted. This may mean extra appointments, inconvenience, extended treatment time and possibly extra cost.
To ensure you keep good oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment, brush thoroughly after eating using a fluoride toothpaste and a small soft toothbrush. Your orthodontist may recommend a special orthodontic toothbrush or an electric toothbrush.
Cleaning with braces
- Remove elastics.
- Gently brush your teeth and braces, brushing in and around all the wires and brackets.
- Clean between teeth daily using dental floss, a special 'threading floss' (which has a stiffened end to enable it to be threaded under the orthodontic wire), and/or interdental brushes.
- Spit out excess toothpaste, but do not rinse.
- Remember to replace your elastics after cleaning.
Cleaning with a plate
- Remove the plate and brush and floss your teeth as usual.
- Gently brush the gum areas that are covered by your plate and the roof of your mouth.
- Use your toothbrush and toothpaste to gently clean your plate and rinse it with cool water before putting it back in your mouth.
Occasionally, it may be beneficial to use a disclosing tablet to check you are removing all the plaque. Disclosing tablets dye plaque left behind enabling you to see it clearly. Disclosing tablets can be purchased from supermarkets or pharmacies.
Your orthodontist may recommend additional oral care products, such as fluoride gels or mouth rinses. They can also provide advice on wearing a mouthguard over your braces if you play contact sports.
Continue to visit your dental practitioner as usual for regular check-ups and treatment.
Damaged braces or plates
A dental practitioner should regularly check there has been no damage to your braces or plate. Braces have wires and brackets that are fragile and may break, loosen or bend if you chew hard foods. It's also important not to use your teeth to open bottles or packaging.
If you break or damage your braces or plate, contact your orthodontist immediately. It's important to get these fixed as soon as possible as broken braces or plates will not correct your teeth.
More information
- Last updated:
- 16 March 2022
FAQs
While an expander is usually done before braces, it is possible that you could have both at the same time. Plus, it is perfectly safe to have both. Your orthodontist will be simultaneously correcting jaw discrepancy and teeth alignment, so having both at the same time might help reduce the total treatment time.
Do orthodontists still use plates? ›
Removable plates, known as functional appliances, to achieve facial balance and bite changes are still used by most orthodontists, but they also are slowly being replaced by fixed versions.
How long do you have to wear a plate after braces? ›
Wearing a retainer according to your orthodontist's instructions is essential to maintaining the results of your braces. Your instructions will vary according to your specific needs. Some people need to wear a retainer all day, every day for 4 months, while others will be instructed to wear theirs for 12 months.
Are plates or braces better? ›
However the use of such plates is much less common now than in the past. Braces, or other fixed appliances, can be a better option even for young patients, as they can generally fix problems much more efficiently, are usually more comfortable and require less effort from the child and family.
How much do teeth plates cost? ›
How much do plates for teeth cost? Orthodontic plates are generally much cheaper than braces. Treatment prices will vary depending on the patient, but a plate may cost anywhere from $800-$2500, whereas braces might sit somewhere between $2500 and $6000.
Do plates straighten teeth? ›
Plates are often used in Orthodontics as part of early treatment for a number of reasons and are customized to address and intercept developing orthodontic problems in a growing child. They can be used for simple tooth movements, or as part of two-phase treatment to improve the alignment of the jaws first.
How long do dental plates last? ›
According to statistics, full dentures last anywhere between 5 and 10 years, while partials have a maximum longevity of 15 years. During this time frame, both your mouth and your dentures can undergo major changes, resulting in an improper fit and unappealing appearance.
Can you wear a dental plate all the time? ›
Leaving your dentures in 24/7 can cause several health issues and can reduce the life of your dentures. It is recommended that you remove your dentures while you sleep to allow the mouth to rest, prevent oral hygiene issues and to prevent faster wear of your dentures.
How long does a bite plate take to work? ›
Practice Speaking. Expect initially to speak and eat differently. Practice reading aloud, eat smaller bites, and you will get used to it in a few days. Your teeth will not come together in the back, but with proper wear and with your braces working, the bite plate is usually finished in 6-12 weeks!!
How do you know when braces are almost done? ›
Signs Your Braces Are Coming Off Soon
- Straightened Teeth: One of the most obvious signs that your braces are coming off soon is the noticeable improvement in the alignment of your teeth. ...
- Gaps Closing: ...
- Bite Alignment: ...
- Reduced Discomfort: ...
- Progress Evaluation:
How fast do teeth shift after braces? Straightening your teeth softens the ligaments that hold your teeth in place. These fibers remain loose after your braces are removed, and your teeth will start shifting almost immediately — though it won't be apparent until later.
Can I stop wearing my retainer after 10 years? ›
In most instances, dental professionals advise their patients that in the months following dental treatment, they should wear their retainers for a portion of each day. After that, it is recommended that patients continue to use their retainers during the night for the remainder of their lives.
What is the hardest part of braces? ›
The hardest part of getting new braces can be enduring the first week. Your body is just getting used to these strange, new pieces of metal in your mouth, and you likely feel a bit sore at first.
Why do people look better with braces? ›
Metal braces can certainly have a positive impact on an adult's facial shape. By fixing misaligned, overcrowded, and crooked teeth, braces can improve the symmetry of your face and reduce any gaps that exist between teeth. With braces, many adults find their facial features appear more symmetrical and balanced.
Which type of braces work faster? ›
Transparent aligners, lingual braces, self-ligating braces, and functional braces are now considered to be the fastest braces for straightening teeth.
Is it possible to have dentures and braces at the same time? ›
Yes, it is possible to wear braces while also having partial dentures, but there are several factors to consider to ensure successful treatment outcomes and optimal oral health. Compatibility: In some cases, partial dentures and braces may be compatible and can be worn together without significant issues.
How long do you have to wear a bite plate with braces? ›
Your bite plate must be worn 24 hours per day, including while eating. The only time your bite plate should be removed is for brushing and sports activities such as swimming.
Can you have braces and implants at the same time? ›
Do braces work with dental implants? Yes and no. On one level, it's entirely possible to get braces with dental implants – the treatments aren't mutually exclusive. The catch is that braces can't move a dental implant because the titanium implant is fused to the jawbone.
Can you use insurance twice for braces? ›
Does Insurance Cover Braces a Second Time? There's no one-size-fits-all answer regarding insurance coverage for a second round of braces. Most dental insurance plans have a lifetime maximum for orthodontic treatment. If you've already hit that max with your first round of braces, you might be out of luck for round two.
