Orthodontics have traditionally been associated with adolescence, an awkward rite of passage to be left behind with the teenage years. Increasingly, however, many patients who come in to have their teeth straightened are adults. A 2023 study examining the demographics of orthodontic patients and orthodontics’ association with oral health showed that just over 32% of patients were over the age of 18.
Many reasons can bring an adult patient through the door of our office. They might be ready to correct a long-standing misalignment that they didn’t have the opportunity to have corrected when they were younger. Alternatively, they might have had a mild malocclusion that wasn’t considered serious enough to fix earlier that has gotten worse over time. Or perhaps they had orthodontic treatment at one point and their teeth have drifted back into misaligned positions. Adult patients are usually clear about what they hope to get out of treatment and committed to the work they need to do to make treatment successful.
That doesn’t mean they’re not nervous about it, though. Thankfully, there are many options nowadays that give adult patients choices if they would like their treatment to be as discreet as possible, including clear aligners, lingual braces (braces placed on the back of the teeth), or clear braces. Understanding what to expect if they do opt for traditional braces can also help dispel their fears. For adult patients anxious about getting braces, here are some tips about what to expect and how to ease the adjustment period when treatment begins.
What to Expect When You First Get Braces as an Adult
It’s natural to be nervous about having braces placed, especially if the experience of having an orthodontic appliance attached to your teeth is completely new. Don’t be shy about asking your orthodontist any questions you have about the procedure and the treatment process so you can feel confident you know what to expect. You may also want to ask friends or family who’ve had braces before for their insight on what to expect and what helped them achieve success.
Having the brackets glued in place and the archwire attached will not hurt. At first, however, you won’t be used to having the new appliance on your teeth. Because the brackets stick out beyond the tooth’s surface, you may find they rub against your lips or the inside of your cheeks and cause sores. Generally, this passes in about a week. While you may occasionally experience a mouth sore due to your braces later in treatment, it becomes less likely. (Again, braces are not the only option for straightening your teeth—if the idea of any mouth sores sounds unappealing, you might want to consider treatment with clear aligners instead.)
You will also experience some soreness as the archwire starts to exert pressure to guide your teeth into the correct alignment. This will also start to fade after a couple of days, but you can expect to feel similar discomfort after each adjustment. That feeling is a sign that your orthodontics are doing their job, and remember, it’s only temporary.
Being More Comfortable in the First Days of Getting Braces as an Adult
Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to minimize discomfort after you first get your braces as an adult and help any mouth sores heal faster:
| Symptoms Adult Have With New Braces | Remedy |
| Irritating Sore Spots | Use orthodontic wax to buffer any brackets that are irritating sore spots. (We provide this to all our patients with braces.) |
| Difficulty Eating | Eat soft, mild foods, such as scrambled eggs, yogurt, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and soup. |
| Pain | Take over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetamin |
| Mouth Sores | Try to avoid sucking on mouth sores or teeth or touching them with your fingers. Poking at them will only make them feel worse and may slow down a sore’s healing. |
| Dietary Restrictions | Avoid citrus juice, tomato sauces, and other acidic food and drink. These will irritate any sores. |
Is the process worth the end result? In our experience, our patients would overwhelmingly say yes. And that study that we mentioned above? It also found that patients who used orthodontics were less likely to have oral health issues such as gum disease.
Healthy Smiles for Adult Patients
At B Orthodontics, we believe that every patient deserves a healthy bite and beautiful smile, no matter their age. If you’re apprehensive about what getting braces (or clear aligners) involves as an adult patient, we’re here to give you all the information you need to choose a treatment plan that will work for you. Don’t wait another day to get the straight teeth you’ve always dreamed of. To schedule your initial consultation, contact us here.
