Life with Braces

Now that you have your braces, how do you take care of them? It's important for you to know how to properly take care of your braces throughout your entire orthodontic treatment.

Eating with Braces

Don't worry, you'll be eating popcorn and snacking on potato chips again in no time! However, before you can start enjoying some of the treats you love, you will need to take special care to avoid any foods that could damage your new appliances.

Foods to avoid with braces:

• Chewy foods — bagels, licorice
• Crunchy foods — popcorn, chips, ice
• Sticky foods — caramel candies, chewing gum
• Hard foods — nuts, hard candies
• Foods that require biting into — corn on the cob, apples, carrots

Foods you CAN eat with braces:

• Dairy — soft cheese, pudding, milk-based drinks
• Breads — soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins without nuts
• Grains — pasta, soft cooked rice
• Meats/poultry — soft cooked chicken, meatballs, lunch meats
• Seafood — tuna, salmon, crab cakes
• Vegetables — mashed potatoes, steamed spinach, beans
• Fruits — applesauce, bananas, fruit juice
• Treats — ice cream without nuts, milkshakes, Jell-O, soft cake

Soreness Caused from Braces and Appliances

When you first get your braces, you may feel general soreness in your mouth and your teeth may be tender to biting pressures for one to five days. We recommend cold, soft foods (ice cream, yogurt, jello, etc) and Tylenol or Advil if you need it (if you are not allergic to these medications).  The lips, teeth, and tongue may also become irritated for one to two weeks as they toughen and become accustomed to the surface of the braces.  You can put wax on the braces to lessen this.  We'll show you how!

Loose Teeth

If your teeth begin feeling a little loose, don't worry; this is normal! Your braces must first loosen your teeth to move them into the right position. Once your teeth have been repositioned, they will no longer be loose.

Loose Wires and Bands

Don't be alarmed if a wire or band comes loose.  This happens occasionally.  If the wire protrudes and is irritating, use a blunt instrument (back of a spoon or the eraser end of a pencil) and carefully, gently push the irritating wire under the archwire.  Simply get it out of the way.  If irritation to the lips or mouth continues, place wax or wet cotton on the wire to reduce the annoyance.  Call our office as soon as possible for an appointment to check and repair the appliances.  If any piece comes off, save it and bring it with you to the office.

Take Care of Your Appliances

Damaged appliances can increase the length of your treatment process, so be sure to take care of all your appliances. Your teeth and jaw can only move into their correct positions if you consistently wear the rubber bands, headgear, retainer, or other appliances prescribed by your doctor.

Athletics

If you play sports, it's important that you consult us for special precautions.  A protective mouthguard is advised for playing contact sports.  In case of any accident involving the face, check your mouth and the appliances immediately.  If teeth are loosened or the appliances damaged, phone at once for an appointment.  In the meantime, treat your discomfort as you would treat any general soreness.

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