You just received your new braces. The metal brackets and wires feel different against your lips, tongue, and cheeks. Everything feels exciting, but you quickly realize there’s a learning curve. The awkwardness, discomfort, and unexpected adjustments may have you asking, “What did I sign up for?” This experience is normal, but with four helpful tips, you can navigate your first week with braces like a pro.

The result is straighter teeth, but the path to get there is up to you – Invisalign or traditional braces? One offers a discreet, sleek approach, while the other has helped improve smiles for generations. Before you decide, take a closer look at what makes each one unique so that you can decide with complete confidence how you want to straighten your smile.