Getting braces can be an exciting yet anxious time. You may be wondering if you can go to work or school the day after your braces are put on. The good news is that most people are able to return to their normal activities within 24 hours of getting braces. However, it’s important to be prepared for some potential side effects and discomfort in the days following your braces appointment.
Can I go to work?
For most people, it is completely fine to go to work the day after getting braces. Any pain or discomfort is usually mild enough that you can carry on with your normal work duties. Here are some tips for managing work with new braces:
- Take over-the-counter pain medication like ibuprofen or acetaminophen if you have any soreness.
- Stick to soft foods for the first few days to avoid putting too much pressure on your teeth.
- If your job involves lots of talking, take frequent sips of water to ease any mouth soreness.
- Inform your boss and colleagues that you may need more frequent breaks for adjustments at first.
- Avoid hard, crunchy, or sticky foods that could damage your braces.
As long as you take care around your braces, there’s no reason you can’t have a productive work day even right after your braces are put on. Any discomfort is temporary and usually subsides within 3-5 days.
What about school or college?
You should also be able to attend classes as normal after getting braces. The same tips for managing discomfort apply:
- Take pain relievers as needed.
- Stick to soft foods.
- Inform your professors about your new braces.
- Ask for extensions if you need more time for assignments.
- Carry orthodontic wax to protect brackets that may be irritating your cheeks.
Most orthodontists recommend taking the day off only if you’re getting a significant amount of appliances put in, like braces and elastics. Otherwise, you should be able to focus and participate in class without issues.
What side effects might I experience?
Some common side effects in the first few days after getting braces include:
- Mild soreness and tenderness – Your teeth and mouth need time to adjust to the new hardware. Over-the-counter pain medication helps.
- Sensitivity – Your teeth may be sensitive to hot, cold, or pressure. This typically improves over time.
- Irritation of lips and cheeks – The brackets and wires can rub and cause irritation. Orthodontic wax helps protect these areas.
- Difficulty eating – Hard, sticky, and crunchy foods may be uncomfortable at first. Stick to soft foods.
- Slight discomfort from elastics – If you have elastic bands, they may feel strange at first. Your mouth will adjust.
These side effects are totally normal and should not prevent you from working, going to school, or other daily activities. With some patience and care, you’ll adjust to braces quickly.
How can I manage discomfort from braces at work?
If you do experience soreness or irritation from your new braces, here are some tips for managing it while at work:
- Take OTC pain medication like ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen to reduce soreness.
- Use orthodontic wax to smooth over brackets that are rubbing your cheeks.
- Rinse your mouth with warm salt water to relieve irritation.
- Drink lots of cool water to help sore mouths.
- Apply topical anesthetics or oral gels to numb sore spots temporarily.
- Stick to soft foods from the cafeteria at work.
- Take more frequent breaks to do salt water rinses or adjust your braces.
- Ask your boss if you can have a slightly reduced workload for the first week.
With a little preparation and planning, you can get through a workday comfortably even with new braces. The discomfort is temporary and worth it for a beautiful smile!
What food should I eat?
What you can eat with braces falls into 3 main categories:
- Foods to avoid – Hard, sticky, crunchy, and chewy foods can damage braces. Avoid popcorn, nuts, gum, caramel, apples, corn on the cob, etc.
- Foods to eat cautiously – Soft and boneless meats, baked potatoes, bananas, soft fruits and veggies, eggs, dairy products, pasta, soft bread.
- Foods you can eat freely – Water, smoothies, milkshakes, soups, pudding, ice cream, mashed potatoes.
Focus on soft, smooth foods especially for the first week. Don’t try biting into apples or tearing meat off bones just yet. Go easy while your mouth adjusts.
Can I take a day off work after getting braces?
Although most people don’t need to take time off work after getting braces, it’s understandable if you want to take it easy your first day. Some reasons why you may want to take the day off include:
- You’re getting multiple appliances put in like braces, elastics, expanders, etc. This can increase soreness and discomfort.
- Your job requires lots of public speaking or phone calls. Braces can make talking difficult at first.
- You have a physically demanding job that’s hard to do with a sore mouth.
- You want time to adapt to eating and oral hygiene with braces before going out.
- You need to travel a long distance to work and want to take it easy.
There’s no shame in taking a day to recover after a big orthodontic procedure! Just be sure to give your employer adequate notice. A mental health day or sick day is perfectly valid.
Conclusion
While getting braces can be uncomfortable initially, most people are ready to return to work or school the very next day. With some preparation and planning, you can manage the soreness, irritation, and eating challenges that come with new braces. Focus on taking care of your mouth, sticking to soft foods, and taking breaks as needed. With a little patience, your mouth will adjust to braces quickly and you’ll be ready to take on anything!