The process of adding braces during the journey to a confident smile takes about one to two hours.
County Dental orthodontists in the Hudson Valley start the appointment for braces with a thorough cleaning and drying off of your teeth.
The next step is applying a bonding glue to your teeth before the addition of the brackets.
Archwire is then placed in the brackets and secured with elastic bands.
County Dental reminds our patients the process of adding braces does not hurt, but expect soreness of your teeth and mouth for about a week.
Braces: Tips for Dealing with Discomfort
Soft foods are recommended for the first few days: soup, mashed potatoes, yogurt, apple sauce, etc.
Use orthodontic wax to avoid mouth sores in the first few weeks of treatment.
Avoid acidic drinks and foods. These drinks and foods will irritate mouth sores.
County Dental notices that most patients are used to their braces after about a month.
Metal Free Alternative: Invisalign
County Dental also provides an invisible braces option, known as Invisalign.
Invisalign is a metal free alternative for straightening your smile. Invisalign strengthens your teeth using a series of clear aligners to provide a metal free solution to gaps between your teeth, overbites, underbites, open bites, crowded teeth, and cross bites.
Available for All Ages
Braces are available for all ages. Contact your County Dental office today.
County Dental is committed to whole health care for our community serving over 105,000 patients in Hudson Valley.
Our five-part series will continue with the process of adjusting braces.