Now that you have your braces, how do you take care of them? It's important for you to know how to properly take care of your braces throughout your entire orthodontic treatment.
Before you can start enjoying some of the treats you love, you will need to take special care to avoid any foods that could damage your new appliances.
Food to avoid with braces:
Food you CAN eat with braces:
When you first get your braces, you may notice that your teeth and mouth feel a little uncomfortable. This is perfectly normal and we promise your mouth will not be sore forever! To relieve the pain, we recommend dissolving one teaspoon of salt in a cup of lukewarm water. Swish and gargle this solution in your mouth for just a couple of minutes (do not swallow the saltwater).
If the pain is more severe and does not go away after rinsing, you can also try taking a pain reliever. It is also 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. We would be happy to give you some wax that you can put over the braces to lessen the tenderness. If you need some wax, please let us know.
If your teeth begin feeling a little loose, don't worry; this is normal! There is a little fluid sack around the root of your teeth that is called a periodontal ligament - this widens to allow for your teeth to move. Your braces must first loosen this periodontal ligament to move them into the right position. Once your teeth have been repositioned, they will no longer be loose.
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 with your wax that will be given to you when you get your braces. 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.
Damaged appliances 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.
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 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. You can temporarily relieve the discomfort by applying wax or rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater.
Be sure to drink a mouthful of water before drinking any sports drinks after a big game! When you get dehydrated your teeth do as well and will absorb the first thing you put into your mouth. If you drink a sports drink straight away your teeth will absorb all of the acid and sugar from that drink and this leads to tooth decay. Remember water is always best!
Avoid chewy foods like licorice, foods that require biting into like corn on the cob or apples, crunchy foods like popcorn or chips, and sticky foods like caramel or chewing gum, as these can damage your appliances.
You can enjoy soft dairy like cheese and pudding, soft breads like tortillas and pancakes, soft grains like pasta and cooked rice, soft-cooked boneless meats and seafood, mashed or steamed vegetables, and fruit cut into small, bite-sized pieces.
When you first get braces, some discomfort is normal. Dissolving a teaspoon of salt in lukewarm water and swishing it in your mouth for a couple of minutes can help. If pain is more severe, a pain reliever can help, and wax is available to lessen tenderness on your lips, cheeks, or tongue while they adjust.
Contact our office as soon as possible so we can check and repair your appliance. Save any piece that comes off and bring it with you. You can temporarily cover a loose wire with wax or a wet cotton ball to relieve irritation until you're seen.
Yes, you can still play sports while undergoing orthodontic treatment. It's recommended that you wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth and appliances, and your doctor can help you find the right one.
Yes. Braces loosen the periodontal ligament, a fluid sack around the root of your teeth, to allow them to move into the correct position. Once your teeth have been repositioned, they will no longer feel loose.
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