Life with braces

Name: Get It Straight Orthodontics — Orland Park
Address: 9535 W 144th Pl, Orland Park, IL, 60462, US
Telephone: (773) 404-2288

Now that you have your braces, it’s important to learn how to take care of them. This page provides guidelines to help you navigate your journey.

My teeth are sore... is that normal?

Yes! When you first get your braces, you will notice that your teeth and mouth will feel a little sore. This is perfectly normal. To relieve the pain, we recommend dissolving one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of lukewarm water. Swish this solution in your mouth for a couple of minutes. If pain is more severe and does not go away after rinsing, you can also try taking a pain reliever.

It is also not uncommon for your lips, cheeks, and tongue to become irritated for one to two weeks as they toughen and become used to braces. We would be happy to give you some wax so you can put it over your braces to lessen the tenderness. If you need wax, please let us know!

My teeth feel loose... will they fall out?

No! If your teeth begin feeling a little loose, don’t worry; this is normal. Your braces first loosen your teeth to move them into the right position. Once your teeth have been repositioned, they will no longer be loose.

Something feels loose on my braces...

The wires and bands on your braces may come loose. If this happens, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can check and repair your appliance. If any piece of your appliance comes off, be sure to save it and bring it to the office with you.

You can temporarily fix the loose wire by using the back of a spoon or the eraser end of a pencil to carefully and gently push the wire back into place. If the loose wire is causing irritation to your lips or cheeks, put wax or a wet cotton ball over the broken wire to relieve the pain. If anything is moving around excessively, place wax on it to reduce discomfort.

Since we use teledentistry, feel free to pick up your Grin Scope and send us a scan. We’ll take a look and get back to you as soon as possible.

Taking care of your appliances

Damaged appliances can prolong your treatment process, so be sure to take care of all your appliances. Your teeth and jaw can only move into their correct positions if you consistently wear the rubber bands, headgear, retainer, or other appliances prescribed by your doctor.

Playing sports with braces

You can still play sports even while undergoing orthodontic treatment. If you play sports, it’s recommended that you wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth and your appliance. Let your doctor know if you need assistance finding the right mouthguard for optimal protection.

In case of a sports emergency, be sure to immediately check your mouth and appliance for damage. If you notice any loose teeth or appliance damage, please contact our office right away. Look at our Emergencies page to see how to ease some discomfort before your appointment.