Make a list and bring it along to your first consultation. Here are a few common questions:
No matter how teeth are straightened, most people experience tenderness when their teeth move. After first getting braces, and after each adjustment, you may feel a little pressure and discomfort when biting or chewing, but this should only last for a few days. For your appointment days, stock up on soup, pasta or other gentle foods that don’t require much chewing. Your orthodontist can also give you soft wax to use if any brackets are rubbing against your cheeks, lips or tongue. If a wire is poking you, don’t hesitate to call your orthodontist – they can cut it shorter.
To help speed up your adjustment period, speech pathologists have developed a special exercise called the rainbow passage. It’s a short paragraph that contains many of the sounds found in the English language. Practice reading it aloud until you’re comfortable speaking with your new braces.