Life with Braces
Now that you have your braces, it’s essential to know how to take care of them properly throughout your orthodontic treatment. Here’s what you need to do to maintain your braces and ensure effective treatment.
Eating with Braces
Don’t fret, you’ll be munching on popcorn and enjoying potato chips again before you know it! However, before you dive back into your favorite treats, it’s essential to take special precautions to steer clear of any foods that could potentially harm your new appliances.
What 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
What You CANNOT Eat 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
Soreness Caused from Braces and Appliances
When you first get your braces, your teeth and mouth might feel a bit tender or sore. This is perfectly normal, and the discomfort won’t last forever! To alleviate the pain, dissolve one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of lukewarm water. Swish and gargle this solution in your mouth for a couple of minutes (be sure not to swallow it).
If the pain persists and doesn’t subside after rinsing, you can take a pain reliever. It’s also common for your lips, cheeks, and tongue to feel irritated for a week or two as they adjust to the braces. To ease this tenderness, we can provide you with some wax to place over the braces. If you need wax, please let us know.
Loose Teeth
If your teeth start to feel a bit loose, don’t worry; this is completely normal! Your braces need to loosen your teeth first in order to move them into the correct position. Once your teeth are properly repositioned, they will no longer feel loose.
Loose Wires and Bands
The wires and bands on your braces might come loose occasionally. If this happens, please contact us as soon as possible so we can inspect and repair your appliance. If any part of your braces comes off, make sure to save it and bring it with you to your appointment.
In the meantime, you can temporarily fix a loose wire by carefully and gently pushing it back into place with the back of a spoon or the eraser end of a pencil. If the loose wire is irritating your lips or cheeks, place wax or a wet cotton ball over the wire to alleviate the discomfort.
Take Care of Your Appliances
Taking care of all your appliances is crucial because damaged ones can prolong your treatment process. Your teeth and jaw can only shift into their correct positions if you consistently wear the rubber bands, headgear, retainer, or any other appliances prescribed by your doctor.
Playing Sports with Braces
Attention, athletes! Here’s some fantastic news: you can continue playing sports even while undergoing orthodontic treatment! However, it’s advisable to wear a mouthguard to safeguard both your teeth and your appliance. If you require assistance in selecting the most suitable mouthguard for optimal protection, don’t hesitate to consult your doctor.
In the event of a sports-related emergency, promptly inspect your mouth and appliance for any signs of damage. If you detect loose teeth or appliance issues, reach out to our office immediately. You can temporarily alleviate any discomfort by applying wax or rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater.