Life with Braces: Tips and Tricks

teen boy braces Howdy, El Paso! It’s Dr. Teng from JT Orthodontics, and this week I want to talk about life with braces. Let’s be real, getting braces is a big change, but it doesn’t have to be a daunting one. With a few tips and tricks, you can navigate your orthodontic journey with ease and even have some fun along the way!

Embrace the Braces Lifestyle

Become a Pro at Oral Hygiene: Braces and food can be a tricky combination. Invest in a good orthodontic toothbrush, interdental brushes, and floss threaders to keep your teeth sparkling clean. Rinsing with mouthwash after meals can also help dislodge any stubborn particles.
Say “See Ya Later” to Certain Foods: For a while, you’ll need to avoid anything sticky, chewy, or overly hard. That means saying goodbye (for now!) to caramel candies, gum, popcorn, and biting into whole apples. But don’t worry, there are still plenty of delicious foods you can enjoy.
Soreness Solutions: It’s normal to experience some soreness, especially after getting your braces adjusted. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help, and so can rinsing with warm salt water.
Wax On, Wax Off: If a bracket or wire is irritating your cheek or gums, orthodontic wax can provide instant relief. Just roll a small piece into a ball and apply it to the bothersome area.
Emergency Kit Essentials: It’s always a good idea to have a little braces emergency kit on hand, especially if you’re on the go. Include things like orthodontic wax, pain relievers, a travel toothbrush, and floss threaders.

Making Braces Your Own

Color Pop: One of the fun things about braces is getting to choose your colors! Express yourself with your favorite shades, match your school colors, or celebrate holidays with festive hues.
Accessorize with Confidence: Rock your braces with a smile! There are tons of cool accessories out there, from stylish retainers to fun brace covers.

Don’t Hesitate to Ask for Help

Remember, we’re here to support you every step of the way. If you have any questions or concerns, or if you experience any discomfort or breakages, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Visit Us!

Westside: 5551 N Mesa, Suite A, El Paso, TX 79912. Call us at (915) 581-5476.
Eastside: 3030 Trawood Drive, El Paso, TX 79936. Reach us at (915) 855-6616.

Keep smiling, El Paso!

Warmly,
Dr. Teng

Patients Love Us!

We are truly grateful and thankful that we came to JT Orthodontics for my our daughters second round of braces since the first round of treatment was not a success….. but now with her second round on braces 😬 we are extremely happy with her results and her care was the best in town love them…..! I would highly recommend them!

Gabriela Rincon

When my son’s adult teeth started growing, the front tooth was sticking out significantly and made it hazardous when playing and had difficulty biting into fruits. We knew we needed to get him help. In less than a year, he had a brand new smile. His quality of every day life has improved! Thank you!

Victoria Woodard

Super friendly staff, and the doctor was able to complete my treatment earlier than anticipated. Any issues I had were able to be fixed within a good timeframe. Definitely recommend if you need treatment!

Nicole Edge

Amazing staff and doctor! My journey with them started almost 7 years ago as a kid in elementary, I am now in high school with the best smile and results possible! Could not be more grateful and I highly recommend them!

Jade Sanchez

Can’t thank Dr. Teng and his entire staff enough for the care and results I received! I originally went to another orthodontist who recommended jaw surgery for my slightly receded jaw and bite issues. Not fully comfortable with such an invasive route, I decided to get a second opinion—and I’m so glad I did.

Dr. Teng took the time to really assess my case and offered a non-invasive treatment plan that ended up working beautifully. Not only did he correct my bite, but he also helped improve the alignment of my jaw—all without surgery. The process was smooth, the results exceeded my expectations, and every appointment was met with kindness, professionalism, and patience from the entire team.

If you’re looking for an orthodontist who genuinely cares about their patients and goes the extra mile to find solutions that fit your needs, Dr. Teng is the one. I’m so grateful I found him!

Kurt Rey

Update: Grateful for the turnaround in care

I originally left a review expressing disappointment with my experience, particularly around communication and the outcome of my treatment. However, after a recent visit, I feel it’s important to update my review to reflect the positive changes.

At my latest appointment, the team took my concerns seriously, addressed every issue I raised, and made real efforts to fix the problems. They also offered a sincere apology and took full accountability for what had gone wrong previously—which I really appreciated.

My smile is now back on track, and I’m genuinely happy with the results I’m seeing. I’m grateful they took the time to listen and act on feedback. It made a big difference and changed my overall perspective on the care they provide.

Aloe Valenzuela