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; There are many things you can eat while in braces. For the first day or so, stick to soft foods. Soon, you will be able to eat a more normal diet. 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 - licorice, hard rolls, beef jerky
• Crunchy foods - popcorn, ice
• Sticky foods - caramel candies, chewing gum, Laffy Taffy, Airheads, Starbursts
• Hard foods - nuts, hard candies, Jolly Ranchers, lollipops
• Whole foods that require biting into - corn on the cob, apples, carrots, bagels and hard pizza crust (you can cut them into small pieces)
• Chewing on hard things (for example, pens, pencils and fingernails). Chewing on hard things can damage the braces and therefore make your treatment take longer.

Foods you CAN eat with braces:

• Dairy - soft cheese, pudding, milk-based drinks
• Breads - soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins
• Grains - pasta, cooked rice
• Meats/poultry - cooked chicken (avoid the bones), meatballs, lunch meats
• Seafood - tuna, salmon, crab cakes, etc.
• Vegetables - mashed potatoes, steamed spinach, beans, fresh vegetables (cut into small pieces)
• Fruits - applesauce, bananas, fruit juice, apples (cut into slices), etc.
• Treats - ice cream, milkshakes, Jell-O, cake

Soreness caused from braces and appliances

When you first get your braces, you may notice that your teeth and mouth feel a little tender or sore. This is perfectly normal for patients who have just gotten their braces put on, and we promise your mouth will not be sore forever! Your teeth may be tender to biting for three to five days. To relieve the pain, we recommend rinsing your mouth with cold or ice water.

If the pain is more severe, you can also try taking a pain reliever (what you would normally take for a headache. It is also not uncommon for your lips, cheeks, and tongue to become irritated for one to two weeks as they toughen and become used to the braces. We would be happy to give you some wax that you can put over the braces to decrease the discomfort. If you need some wax, please let us know! If your lips, cheeks or tongue become excessively sore, dissolve one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of lukewarm water. Swish and gargle this solution in your mouth for just a couple of minutes (do not swallow the salt water).

Loosening of Teeth

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

Loose Wires and Bands

The wires and bands on your braces may come loose. If this happens, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can check and repair your appliance. If any piece of your appliance comes off, be sure to save it and bring it to the office with you.

You can temporarily fix the loose wire by using the back of a spoon or the eraser end of a pencil (or blunt instrument) to carefully and gently push the wire back into place. If the loose wire is causing irritation to your lips or cheeks, put wax or a wet cotton ball over the broken wire to relieve the pain.

If an archwire or other wire cannot be covered or replaced back in the tube, use nail clippers to clip the wire.

Take Care of your Appliances

To successfully complete the treatment plan, the patient must work together with the orthodontist. Damaged appliances and lack of cooperation 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.

Click here to read more about the proper care of your appliances

Brushing Your Teeth with Braces

When you have braces it's more important than ever to brush and floss regularly in order to keep your teeth and gums healthy during and after your treatment. Permanent damage (white spots or cavities) can be prevented with proper brushing, flossing and using a fluoride gel. If you need help choosing the right toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss, please ask us and we can help you choose the right products for your teeth and your appliance.

Playing Sports with Braces

Game, Set, Match - we have great news for athletes! You can still play sports even while undergoing orthodontic treatment! If you do play sports, it's recommended that you wear a mouthguard in order to protect your teeth and your appliance. During the time you are in treatment, we recommend the “boil and bite” type mouthguards. Remold them every two weeks to accommodate your moving teeth. Let us know if you need help finding the right mouthguard for the best protection. After treatment, a custom mouthguard made by your dentist is recommended.

In case of a sports emergency, be sure to immediately check your mouth and your appliances for any damage that may have occurred. If you notice any loose teeth, or if your appliance has been damaged, please contact our office right away. You can temporarily relieve the discomfort with wax or by rinsing your mouth with warm salt water.