Patient Information – Houston, TX

1. What to Expect in the First Few Days

• Tongue soreness and rubbing are normal as the tongue adapts to the brackets. Use orthodontic wax on any sharp or irritating areas; dry the area first for best adhesion Hall Orthodontics
• Mild soreness or pressure is common. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help (follow manufacturer instructions) Hall Orthodontics
• Speech changes (temporary lisp) may occur. Talking frequently, reading aloud, or even singing accelerates adaptation. Reading the Rainbow Passage daily is a proven technique to normalize speech faster Hall Orthodontics

2. Daily Care & Hygiene

• Brush and floss normally. Lingual systems allow standard brushing and flossing, though an electric toothbrush is recommended for efficiency Yang Orthodontics.
• Use a water flosser or interdental brushes to clear food that collects behind the teeth and wires. These tools supplement but do not replace regular flossing Yang Orthodontics.
• Rinse with warm salt water (½ tsp salt in 8 oz warm water) to soothe irritated tissues and promote healing Yang Orthodontics.

3. Eating Guidelines

• Stick to soft foods (eggs, yogurt, soups, smoothies) until soreness improves Yang Orthodontics.
• Drink twice as much water as usual to reduce dryness and keep the tongue lubricated Yang Orthodontics.

4. After the first week

• Cut food into small bites and chew slowly to avoid biting your tongue or cheeks, which feel different with lingual braces ajsmiles.com.
• Avoid hard, crunchy, or chewy foods (nuts, ice, hard bread, sticky candy) to prevent bracket or wire damage ajsmiles.com.
• Do not tear food with your front teeth; use utensils or a food processor to portion food instead ajsmiles.com.

5. Speech Adaptation Techniques

• Talk frequently—the more you speak, the faster your tongue learns the new environment.
• Read aloud daily, especially structured passages like the Rainbow Passage, to retrain articulation efficiently Yang Orthodontics.
• Singing can accelerate adaptation by increasing tongue agility and range of motion ajsmiles.com.
• We have found that if instructions are followed almost all lingual cases adapt to speech in 4-8 weeks.  The more you speak the faster speech will normalize.

We have treated Professional Speakers, Attorneys, Speech Pathologists and Business Leaders, with lingual braces and they tell us others cannot detect a change in their speech, but the patient will always hear a "difference" in speech.

6. Tongue Protection & Comfort

• Use orthodontic wax sparingly—enough to protect irritated areas but not so much that the tongue never adapts. Overuse slows the adjustment period Yang Orthodontics.
• Avoid tongue thrusting or playing with the brackets, which increases irritation and delays adaptation Yang Orthodontics.
• If sensitivity persists, ask your orthodontist about sensitive-teeth toothpaste to ease discomfort during the early phase ajsmiles.com.

7. Bite Awareness

• Your bite may feel “off” during treatment because the teeth are moving daily. Some patients receive bite turbos (small cushions to prevent teeth from touching) to protect the braces and guide the bite. This is normal and temporary Yang Orthodontics.
• Spacing of the Teeth is normal and expected, and is part of the Orthodontic process.

8. When to Call the Office

Contact your orthodontist if:

• Pain is not controlled with OTC medication after several days ajsmiles.com.
• A bracket or wire becomes loose or broken.
• You develop sores that worsen instead of improving.
• Speech difficulties persist beyond the expected adaptation period.

9. Essential Tools to Keep With You

• Orthodontic wax
• Travel toothbrush
• Interdental brushes or water flosser
• Salt packets (for warm salt rinses)
• Small mirror for checking bracket areas Yang Orthodontics