Now that you have your braces, one of the most common questions we get is "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 so treatment is not delayed. Below are the basic guidelines but if you have any questions please feel free to call our office or ask at your next visit.
Foods to AVOID with braces:
- Chewy foods — bagels, licorice
- Crunchy foods — popcorn with kernels, chips, ice
- Sticky foods — caramel candies, chewing gum, fruit snacks, gummy bears
- Hard foods — nuts, hard candies, pizza crust
- Foods that require biting into — corn on the cob, apples, carrots
Foods 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
When you first get your braces, you may notice that your teeth and mouth feel a little tender or sore. 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 eight ounces 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 of your choice as you would for a headache. 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. Wax will be provided in your bag given at your construct appointment to put over the brackets to lessen the tenderness.
Loose Teeth
If your teeth begin feeling a little loose, don't worry; this is actually normal! Your braces must first loosen your teeth slightly to move them into the right position. Once your teeth have been repositioned, the tissue surrounding them will tighten back and ligaments will reattach.
Loose Wires and Bands
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 please.
You can temporarily fix the loose wire by using the back of a spoon or the eraser end of a pencil to carefully and gently push the wire back into place. 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 and call our office if that does not cause relief.
Take Care of Your Appliances
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 Dr. Johnson.
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 to protect your teeth and your appliance. We can provide a free general mouthguard, you are available to purchase a custom fit mouthguard or grab an over the counter one of your choice.
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 most discomfort by applying wax or rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater.
