Life with Braces
Now that you have your braces, how do you take care of them?
Eating with Braces
Don't worry, you'll be eating the foods you love again in no time! However, before you can start enjoying some of your favorite treats, you will need to take special care to avoid things that could damage your braces.
Foods to avoid with braces:
- Sodas - too much acid and sugar!
- Chewy foods - bagels, jerky
- Crunchy foods - popcorn, hard tortilla chips, ice
- Sticky foods - caramel candies, starburst
- Hard foods - nuts, hard candies
- Foods that require biting into - corn on the cob, apples, carrots. Cut into pieces and chew on the back teeth.
Foods you CAN eat with braces:
- Dairy - soft cheese, pudding, milk-based drinks
- Breads - soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins w/o nuts
- Grains - pasta, rice
- Meats/poultry - chicken, beef (avoid tough steaks) meatballs, lunch meats
- Seafood - tuna, salmon, crab cakes
- Vegetables - potatoes, spinach, beans
- Fruits - applesauce, bananas, fruit juice
- Treats - ice cream w/o nuts, milkshakes
ALWAYS BRUSH AFTER EATING, ESPECIALLY SUGARY FOODS
Soreness caused from braces and appliances
When you first get your braces, you may notice your teeth and mouth feel a little tender or sore. This is perfectly normal, and we promise your mouth will not be sore forever! To relieve the pain, we recommend taking Advil or Tylenol, and warm salt water rinses are helpful.(half teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water, do not swallow the saltwater).
It is 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. In your home care kit, we have provided wax for you to use until you've adjusted.
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 feel 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 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 eraser end of a pencil 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. See Patient Care Videos.
Take Care of your Appliances
Damaged braces don't work as they should and 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.
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 to protect your teeth and your appliance. Let your doctor know if you need help finding the right mouthguard.
In case of a sports emergency, be sure to immediately check your mouth and your appliance 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 saltwater.