• Life with Braces
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• Brushing and Flossing
• |
• Types of Braces
• |
• Braces Diagram
• |
• Types of Appliances
• |
• Clear Aligners
• |
• Palatal Expander
• |
• Tads

Life With Braces

Now that your orthodontic braces have been placed, what do you need to do to care for them? It is crucial that you understand how to correctly care for your braces during the course of your orthodontic treatment.

Eating while wearing braces

Not to worry! You will be biting into caramel apples and snacking on popcorn again in no time! However, prior to eating all of the treats that you love to eat, you will need to be aware of the types of foods that can damage your new orthodontic appliances.

Foods to avoid while having braces:

• Chewy foods — bagels, licorice
• Crunchy foods — popcorn, chips, ice cubes
• Sticky foods — gummies, caramel, chewing gum that has sugar
• Hard foods — hard candies, whole apples, whole carrots
• Foods that require biting into — corn on the cob, whole apples, whole carrots

Foods you CAN enjoy while having braces:

• Breads — pancakes, soft tortillas muffins without nuts
• Dairy — pudding, soft cheese, milk-based drinks
• Grains — soft cooked rice, pasta
• Meats/poultry — meatballs, soft cooked chicken, lunch meats
• Vegetables — steamed spinach, mashed potatoes, beans
• Seafood — crab cakes, tuna, salmon
• Treats — milkshakes, ice cream without nuts, Jell-O, soft cake
• Fruits — bananas, fruit juice, applesauce

Discomfort from Orthodontic Appliances

After you initially have your braces placed it can take a few hours for soreness to fully take place. The discomfort that you should expect is tenderness when you bite down or clench your jaw. This sensation is completely normal and will only last a few days! Swishing and gargling with a salt-water solution can help reduce the pain (Do not swallow the salt water). If the pain persists after rinsing, you can take an over the counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen for the first few days following your appointment.

You should also expect irritation in your lips, cheeks, and tongue as they adjust to the braces. It will take approximately two weeks for them to toughen up and become accustomed to the new orthodontic appliance. Our staff will show you how to use orthodontic wax to help your cheeks and lips adjust.

Feeling the Sensation of Loosened Teeth While Wearing Braces

While wearing braces, it is normal for your teeth to feel a little loose. In order to move your teeth into the correct position, you teeth will need to become slightly loose in order to be mobile. After your teeth are moved to the correct position, they will no longer feel loose.

Wires and Bands That Become Loose During Treatment

If your wires and bands become loose during treatment is it important to contact our office as soon as possible so we can check you out and make repairs if necessary. If any part of your appliance comes completely out of your mouth, be sure to save it and bring it to your appointment.

At home you can temporarily push a loose wire back into place with the eraser end of a pencil. If a loose wire is causing pain to your cheek we recommend placing orthodontic wax or a wet cotton ball over the broken wire to reduce the pain until you can make it into our office.

How to Properly Care For Your Appliances

Damaged appliances can increase the length of your treatment process, so be sure to take care of all your appliances. Consistent and proper wear of your prescribed elastics, headgear, retainer, or other appliances are the only way your jaws and teeth will shift into their correct positions. Broken brackets and damaged appliances can extend your treatment time. In order to reposition your teeth to the correct position, they need the constant pressure and force from wearing your elastics, headgear, retainer, or other appliances as prescribed from your orthodontist.

Athletics with Braces

Patients wearing orthodontic braces can still participate in sports! If you play a contact sport we typically recommend that you wear a protective mouth guard over your braces. Let your orthodontist know if you need assistance in finding the right mouth guard for you.

If you have a sports related emergency check your appliance and mouth for any damage. If any appliance damage or loose teeth are present contact our office immediately for an emergency appointment. Applying wax to your appliance or rinsing with warm saltwater can provide temporarily relief.