Getting braces is a real adjustment for teens. The first month often comes with sore teeth, changes in eating habits, and a little extra time spent brushing and flossing. Most of these changes are temporary, but knowing what’s normal can make the process feel less stressful for both you and your teen.
At Dental Kidz Club, families can talk through traditional braces with a team that cares for children and teens across Southern California. Dr. Krystal Park earned her DDS and Master of Science in Orthodontics from Loma Linda University and is board-certified by the American Board of Orthodontics. Dr. Jihee Chun serves as chief dentist and brings experience limited to children’s dentistry, which can help younger families feel more at ease with dental visits.
The First Week Usually Feels the Most Different
After braces are placed, your teen’s teeth may feel sore as the brackets and wires begin to apply gentle pressure. Chewing can feel uncomfortable for a few days, especially with firmer foods.
Soft foods are usually easier during the first week, such as:
- Scrambled eggs
- Yogurt
- Pasta
- Soup
- Smoothies
- Mashed potatoes
- Soft fruit
This soreness should gradually improve as your teen’s mouth adjusts. Mild irritation inside the cheeks or lips can also happen at first as the soft tissues get used to the brackets.
Eating Habits Need Some Adjustment
Braces can be damaged by foods that are too hard, sticky, or crunchy. During the first month, teens are still learning what feels comfortable and what could bend a wire or loosen a bracket.
It’s usually best to avoid:
- Hard candy
- Chewing ice
- Sticky caramels
- Popcorn
- Whole apples without cutting them
- Crunchy chips or hard pretzels
Your teen doesn’t have to give up every food they enjoy, but some foods may need to be cut into smaller pieces or saved until treatment is finished.
Brushing and Flossing Take More Time
Braces create more places for food and plaque to collect. During the first month, it’s normal for brushing to feel slower and more detailed than it did before treatment.
Your teen will need to clean around the brackets, along the gumline, and between the teeth. Floss threaders, orthodontic flossers, or a water flosser can make the process less frustrating. Building the routine early helps protect the teeth from white spots, cavities, and gum irritation during treatment.
Social Adjustment Is Part of the Process
Braces can make smiling, speaking, and the way the lips rest feel unfamiliar at first, so it’s normal for teens to feel self-conscious for a little while. Most adjust as braces become part of their daily routine.
Braces Care for Teens in Riverside, CA
The first month with braces takes patience, but Dental Kidz Club helps teens and families in Riverside, CA, understand what to expect as soreness, food changes, and extra brushing become easier with practice.
For questions about braces or your teen’s first adjustment period, contact us or call 951-324-1480 to schedule a consultation.
