Getting Braces? Here’s How To Prepare And Relax

The start of orthodontic treatment is a time of anticipation. There’s the anticipation our patients feel about the ultimate benefits of our work together: Straight, perfectly aligned teeth that make eating, speaking, and, of course, smiling, enjoyable for years to come. There’s also the anticipation a patient has about how long it will take for our orthodontist at 

Hudson River Orthodontics to put braces on. The time differs from patient to patient, but our general estimate is one to two hours.

Rest assured, we’ll do our best to make you feel comfortable during the process. Fitting the braces onto your teeth won’t hurt, although there may be some discomfort for a brief adjustment period afterward.

How can you prepare for and relax during your fitting? We’ll walk you through the process, but here are a few tips:

Before: 

• Talk to a family member or friend with braces to get the 4-1-1 on what to expect. 

• Stock up on soft foods that are recommended during the adjustment period. 

• Take a selfie so you’ll have a before-and-after of our treatment.

• Make sure to eat before your appointment so you don’t arrive with an empty stomach.

During: 

• Talk to us about your anxiety and we’ll help you feel at ease.

• Listen to a playlist on your phone with calming music or sounds through earbuds or headphones. 

• Breathing in and out slowly and deeply is a proven method of reducing anxiety and stress.

• Close your eyes and visualize a place that you associate with peacefulness or contentment. Perhaps it’s a beach, a forest or a mountaintop.

• Focus on rewarding yourself afterward with something pleasurable — as long as it doesn’t involve hard, crunchy or sticky foods!

Our orthodontist at Hudson River Orthodontics has the experience, techniques and technology to make your journey to a radiant smile as smooth as possible, so relax! Please contact us today with any questions or to schedule an appointment.