Life with Braces
Now that you have your braces, how do you take care of them? It is important to take good care of your braces to make sure your treatment is successful.
Eating with Braces
While in treatment, you will need to avoid any foods that could damage your new appliances.
Foods to avoid with braces:
- Hard, Sticky, Crunchy and Chewy foods are out!
- Hard candies, carmels, popcorn, hard chips, beef jerky and nuts are all common bracket breakers, so please avoid these.
- Be aware of sugary drinks like juice and gatorade. If you drink these, please rinse or brush after to avoid cavities while in treatment.
- Foods that you bite into, like corn on the cob, apples, carrots are generally off limits. If you can cut them up and chew carefully, then enjoy!
Please ask your assistant if you have any questions, they would be happy to personalize this list for you and your diet.
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 and we promise your mouth will not be sore forever! To relieve the discomfort, we recommend dissolving 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 saltwater).If the discomfort becomes more severe and does not go away after rinsing, you can also try taking a pain reliever.
It is not uncommon for your lips, cheeks, and tongue to become irritated as they get used to the braces. We would be happy to give you some wax that you can put over the braces to lessen the tenderness.
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
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 a pencil eraser to carefully and gently push the wire back into place. If the loose wire is causing irritation to your lips or cheeks, put wax over the broken wire to relieve the irritation.
Take Care of Your Appliances
Damaged appliances can increase the length of your treatment, 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 the doctor.
Playing Instruments and Sports with Braces
Great news! You can still play your favorite instrument or sport while undergoing orthodontic treatment. Typically the only adjustment required for an instrument is just getting used to the braces. Wax and salt water rinses may be needed initially.
If you do play a sport, it's recommended that you wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth and your appliances. Let your doctor know if you need help finding the right mouthguard for the best protection.
In case of a sports emergency, be sure to immediately check your mouth and appliance for damage. If you notice any loose teeth or appliance damage, please contact our office right away.
