Now that your braces are in place, it’s essential to understand how to properly care for them throughout your entire orthodontic treatment.
EATING WITH BRACES
Don’t worry; you’ll soon be able to enjoy your favorite treats once again. However, before you can indulge, it’s crucial to take special precautions to prevent any harm to your braces.
Foods to Avoid with Braces:
- Chewy foods, such as bagels and licorice
- Crunchy foods, like popcorn, chips, and ice
- Sticky foods, including caramel candies and chewing gum
- Hard foods, such as nuts and hard candies
- Foods that require biting into, such as corn on the cob, apples, and carrots
Foods You Can Enjoy with Braces:
- Dairy items like soft cheese, pudding, and milk-based drinks
- Soft breads like tortillas, pancakes, and muffins without nuts
- Grains like pasta and soft-cooked rice
- Meats and poultry like soft-cooked chicken, meatballs, and lunch meats
- Seafood options such as tuna, salmon, and crab cakes
- Vegetables like mashed potatoes, steamed spinach, and beans
- Fruits like applesauce, bananas, and fruit juice
- Treats like ice cream without nuts, milkshakes, Jell-O, and soft cake
Managing Soreness Caused by Braces and Appliances
When you first receive your braces, you may experience some tenderness or discomfort in your teeth and mouth. This is entirely normal, and we assure you it won’t last forever. To alleviate the discomfort, we recommend dissolving one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of lukewarm water. Gargle and swish this solution in your mouth for a couple of minutes (avoid swallowing the saltwater).
For more severe pain that persists after rinsing, you can consider taking a pain reliever. It’s also common for your lips, cheeks, and tongue to become irritated for a week or two as they adapt to the braces. We can provide you with wax to ease the tenderness if needed; simply let us know.
Dealing with Loose Teeth, Wires, and Bands
If you notice your teeth feeling slightly loose, there’s no need for concern; this is a normal part of the orthodontic process. Your braces are designed to reposition your teeth, causing them to feel temporarily loose until they settle into their correct positions.
Loose wires and bands on your braces may occasionally occur. In such cases, please contact us promptly so we can assess and repair your appliance. If a piece of your appliance detaches, save it and bring it to our office. In the meantime, you can gently push a loose wire back into place using the back of a spoon or the eraser end of a pencil. If the loose wire causes irritation to your lips or cheeks, apply wax or a moistened cotton ball over the wire to relieve discomfort.
Proper Appliance Care
Maintaining the integrity of your appliances is crucial, as damaged appliances can prolong your treatment duration. Consistently wear any rubber bands, headgear, retainers, or other prescribed appliances to ensure your teeth and jaw achieve their correct positions.
Sports and Braces
Good news for athletes! You can continue to participate in sports while undergoing orthodontic treatment. We recommend wearing a mouthguard to protect both your teeth and your appliance during sports activities. If you need assistance in selecting the right mouthguard for optimal protection, please inform your doctor.
In the event of a sports-related emergency, check your mouth and appliance for damage immediately. If you notice loose teeth or appliance issues, contact our office right away. You can temporarily alleviate discomfort by applying wax or rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater.
