Life with Your Braces
Life with Your Braces | Orthodontic Treatments | Invisalign® | In-Ovation | Types of Braces
Types of Appliances | Palatal Expander Care | Retainers
Eating with Braces
Once you get used to chewing with braces, life won’t be much different. For the first few days stick to soft foods, and non-chewy foods. Also take smaller bites and chew slower. You will definitely want to avoid tough meats, hard breads, and raw vegetables. With some practice you will soon be back to eating almost all the foods you enjoy.
Foods to Avoid
- Sticky foods: caramels, bubble gum, taffy, etc.
- Hard foods: nuts, hard candy, ice (definitely a big no-no), hard pretzels, un-popped popcorn kernels
- Foods you have to bite into such as corn on the cob, whole raw apples, whole raw carrots. It is best to slice these foods up into small thin slices.
- Beverages which are carbonated and/or contain sugar
- Popcorn is OK but be careful about hulls getting stuck between the teeth or braces, and definitely don’t chew the un-popped kernels!
General Soreness
When you get your braces on, you will feel general soreness in your mouth and teeth will be tender to biting pressure. This lasts for three to five days, but some patients report shorter and longer durations. Discomfort can be relieved by taking any regular over-the-counter medication you would normally take for a headache or minor aches and pains. KIDS—ALWAYS get permission from a trusted adult before taking ANY medicine. Remember to take smaller bites and chew slower at first—this will put less pressure on your teeth while you are getting used to the braces.
The braces also gently rub against the inside of your mouth and tongue. Over a short time your mouth will develop a natural resistance to this rubbing and it will go away. Until then use the wax to cover any parts of the braces that may be rubbing or poking. Call our office if you need additional advice or help with this.
"Wiggly" Teeth
Don't worry! Slight mobility of the teeth, especially the front teeth, is normal during treatment. Teeth must loosen a tiny bit first before they can be moved. Once treatment is completed, the teeth will again become firm in their new – corrected – positions.
Loose Wire or Band
Don't be alarmed if a wire or band comes loose. This happens occasionally. If a wire protrudes and is irritating, use something small and soft (the eraser end of a pencil) to carefully, gently bend the irritating wire out of the way. If irritation to the lips or mouth continues, place a piece of wax on the wire to reduce the annoyance. Call our office as soon as possible for an appointment to check and/or repair the appliance. If any piece comes off, save it and bring it with you to the office.
Care of Appliances and Patient Cooperation
Patient cooperation is one of the factors that directly affect how long braces are on and the quality of the final result. Keeping regular appointments, avoiding breakage or loosening of the braces, excellent tooth brushing, and proper wear of elastics and/or headgear are necessary for progress to be made. If treatment does not progress as planned, it will be necessary to extend the time in braces, or change the treatment plan to include extraction of permanent teeth or jaw surgery, or remove the braces without achieving optimum results.
Brushing
It's more important than ever to brush and floss properly when you have braces. If tooth brushing falls below the healthy level the doctor will discuss it with you. The doctor may advise you to see your dentist every 2-3 months for cleanings instead of every 6 months, or it may be best to remove the braces even though treatment may not be finished. Braces can always be replaced and treatment resumed once the oral hygiene problem has been corrected.
Mouthguards
Orthodontic mouthguards are strongly recommended for patients in braces who participate in any sport or physical activity which involves the possibility of vigorous physical contact. Football, wrestling, volleyball, soccer, lacrosse, basketball, baseball, rugby, racketball, and squash are examples of these kinds of activities. Orthodontic mouthguards are provided at no extra cost to our patients who need them.
Please read through the short clips below for proper brushing and flossing instructions.
Brushing: Step 1
Using a dry brush with a small amount of toothpaste place bristles where gums and teeth meet.
Brushing: Step 2
For 10 seconds on each tooth use circular, vibrating motions around the gum lines.
Brushing: Step 3
Every tooth of both arches should be brushed slowly.
Brushing: Step 4
Brush the lower teeth from the gum line up and the upper teeth from the gum line down. Brush the roof of your mouth and your tongue too!
Flossing: Step 1
Carefully thread unwaxed floss between braces and wire. You may find a floss threader helpful.
Flossing: Step 2
Carefully floss around the braces.
Flossing: Step 3
Carefully floss around the gum areas.
Flossing: Step 4
Carefully floss around each tooth.
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. 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 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 salt water.
