Traditional Braces in London, ON: Your Day-by-Day Guide

Few dental decisions feel as permanent as committing to braces, yet most patients worry about the wrong things. The wires rarely hurt the way people expect. Instead, the real questions are practical: How sore will I be tomorrow? What can I eat tonight? When does it get easier? This guide to traditional braces in London, ON walks you through every stage with honest, step-by-step detail, so you feel prepared rather than anxious. At Summersmiles Family Dental in the Summerside area, our dental team believes informed patients recover more comfortably and finish treatment with healthier teeth.

What Happens on the Day Your Braces Go On

The bonding appointment is usually comfortable, which surprises many people. First, your dentist cleans and dries each tooth thoroughly. Next, a mild etching gel prepares the enamel so the brackets adhere securely. Then each bracket is placed individually and cured with a small light. Finally, the archwire is threaded through and secured with tiny elastic ties.

The entire visit usually takes between one and two hours. Furthermore, there are no needles and no drilling involved. You will leave with a mirror check, a care kit, and a clear explanation of what to expect over the coming days. Specifically, your teeth may feel slightly unusual to your tongue, but genuine soreness does not begin immediately.

The First Week: What Recovery Really Feels Like

Tenderness typically arrives several hours after bonding and peaks on days two and three. Consequently, this is when softer foods matter most. Think yogurt, pasta, eggs, soup, and smoothies. Additionally, warm salt-water rinses ease gum irritation, while orthodontic wax smooths any bracket edge that rubs against your cheek.

Over-the-counter pain relief helps considerably during these early days. However, the discomfort fades quickly. By the end of the first week, most patients forget the braces are even there. Each subsequent adjustment produces far milder soreness, usually lasting only a day or two.

Adjustment Visits and the Road to a Straighter Smile

Traditional braces work through steady, gentle pressure rather than sudden force. Therefore, you will return every four to eight weeks for an adjustment. During these short appointments, your dentist changes the archwire or elastics to guide your teeth into their next position. Research comparing bracket systems, published in the European Journal of Orthodontics, confirms that fixed appliances reliably align teeth during the leveling stage, which is exactly how this phased approach delivers lasting results.

Most treatment plans run between eighteen and thirty months, depending on the complexity of your bite. Moreover, your dentist tracks progress at each visit and explains precisely what is shifting and why. If you are weighing your options, our team also discusses clear aligners so you can choose the approach that fits your lifestyle.

Protecting Your Enamel During Treatment

Brackets create tiny spaces where plaque gathers, so hygiene becomes the single most important habit. Specifically, brushing after every meal and cleaning carefully around each bracket prevents white spot lesions. A systematic study in Scientific Reports found that enamel demineralisation can occur as a side effect of fixed appliances, and that fluoride-based remineralisation helps counter it. Consequently, your dentist may recommend fluoride support throughout your treatment.

Flossing requires a floss threader or an interdental brush, and these tools make a real difference. Additionally, cutting back on sugary drinks protects the enamel around your brackets. Good periodontal health and consistent oral hygiene ensure your smile looks as healthy as it does straight once the braces come off.

Finishing Treatment and Keeping Your Results

Removal day is quick and comfortable. Your dentist gently releases each bracket and polishes away any remaining adhesive. Afterward, retainers hold your newly aligned teeth in place while the surrounding bone stabilizes. Wearing your retainer exactly as directed is the single best way to protect years of progress.

Ready to start? You can review the full process on our traditional braces page or book a consultation at our London clinic. We also accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan, which makes orthodontic care more accessible for eligible patients.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do traditional braces hurt when they are first put on?

No, the bonding appointment itself is usually comfortable because it involves no needles or drilling. However, mild tenderness usually begins a few hours later and peaks around day two or three. Soft foods and over-the-counter pain relief manage it easily, and the soreness fades within a week.

How long does treatment with traditional braces take?

Most patients wear braces between eighteen and thirty months. The exact timeline depends on how much your teeth and bite need to shift. Your dentist reviews your progress at each adjustment visit and gives you a realistic estimate specific to your case.

How do I clean my teeth properly with braces?

Brush after every meal and clean carefully around each bracket to remove trapped plaque. Additionally, use a floss threader or interdental brush to reach between teeth. These habits prevent white spot lesions and keep your gums healthy throughout treatment.

How often will I need adjustment appointments?

You will typically visit every four to eight weeks. During each short appointment, your dentist updates the wire or elastics to continue guiding your teeth. Any soreness afterward is usually mild and lasts only a day or two.

Sources & References

• Ontario Dental Association, “Common Dental Procedures”
• Comparison of self- and conventional-ligating brackets in the alignment stage (European Journal of Orthodontics, 2012)
• Impact of self-assembling peptides in remineralisation of artificial early enamel lesions adjacent to orthodontic brackets (Scientific Reports, 2020)