You officially have your braces placed, now it is time to learn about the ins and outs of taking care of your new appliances during your treatment period.
Eating with Braces
A big part of caring for your braces is avoiding foods that may damage them. Your treatment will be over before you know it and you will be back to enjoying all the corn on the cob and gum your heart desires.
Foods to Avoid 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
Foods to 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
Soreness Caused from Braces and Appliances
The first few days after you begin treatment with braces, you may experience some discomfort in the form of soreness or tenderness, this is completely expected. The discomfort should go away on its own in a few days but you can also seek relief by taking one teaspoon of salt and dissolving it into an eight-ounce glass of lukewarm water. You then take the saltwater solution and swish it around in your mouth for two minutes, just be careful not to swallow the saltwater.
If the saltwater rinses do not soothe your soreness, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Another product that can offer you some relief is orthodontic wax, just place on any pieces that are causing friction.
Loose Teeth
As your teeth begin to move, they will feel loose, this is part of the process. The looseness is completely temporary, once your teeth have been repositioned, they will not be loose any longer.
Loose Wires and Bands
It is not completely uncommon for wires and bands to become loose. If this happens, call our office as soon as possible, we will book an appointment to inspect and repair your appliance. If any part of the appliances breaks off, place it in an envelope or plastic bag to bring to your next appointment.
Take Care of Your Appliances
If your appliance becomes damaged during treatment, this can extend your treatment time. If you take care of your appliance, your treatment will go as planned. Be sure to wear all of your appliances as prescribed to get the best results.
Playing Sports with Braces
If you play sports and start orthodontic treatment, you can continue to play sports with one small change. We recommend protecting your teeth, appliance, and mouth using a mouthguard. If you play sports, let us know at your next appointment and we will help you select the right mouthguard for you.
If you suffer a sports accident, check your mouth and appliance for damage or injuries immediately. If there are any loose teeth or pieces of the appliance, call our office immediately. Also, remember that you can soothe your mouth using a saltwater rinse and apply wax to any poking wires.