Once you have braces, more than just your smile will have to change. It is important to know how to properly care for your braces during your entire treatment, and that includes some changes to your eating and brushing habits. By taking proper care of your braces and teeth, you can ensure the quickest and most ideal outcome possible.
Foods to avoid:
Anything that is hard, crunchy, or makes a snapping noise when you bite into it, will probably break your braces. This list is a quick guide to common foods that people have problems with, but the best rule is “If you think it will break your braces, it probably will.”
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Crunchy foods- ice, carrots, hard pretzels
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Sticky Foods- caramels, chewing gum
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Hard foods- nuts, hard candies
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Food you bite into- apples, corn on the cob
Soreness Caused by braces and appliances:
At the beginning of your treatment, you will feel some soreness in your teeth and mouth. This means that your teeth are moving! The initial discomfort usually only lasts for a few days, and then everything feels “normal” again. Cold drinks, like smoothies, icees, or milkshakes are usually enough to relieve the initial discomfort. If a nice cold treat is not enough to handle the initial discomfort, an over the counter pain reliever can be taken.
Sore spots are also very common in the initial stages of braces. Your lips and cheeks are used to rubbing against smooth teeth, not brackets and wires. As your mouth adapts to having braces, your lips and cheeks will become tougher and be able to handle the braces. To help relieve sore spots, you will be given soft wax to put on your braces that will make them softer on your cheeks and allow the sore spots to heal quickly.
Loose Wires or Brackets:
Sometimes you make mistakes, and your brackets or wires may come loose. If this ever occurs, DO NOT WAIT. Please contact us as soon as possible so we can check and repair your braces. If any pieces ever fall out, make sure to save them and bring them to your appointment.
For temporary relief if your wires ever do move, the best thing to use is the wax you were given to cover the wire and prevent it from poking. If the wax does not work, you can use a pencil eraser to carefully and gently push the wire back into place.
Playing sports with braces:
Braces will not stop you from being active. As with all people, it is recommended that you wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth while playing sports. However, over the counter mouth guards will not always work when you have braces. We can make custom fit mouthguard that will protect your teeth while you have braces. Ask us at your next visit.