Now that you have your braces, it’s important to know how to care for them throughout your entire orthodontic treatment. Good habits from day one will keep everything on track.
Eating with Braces
Don’t worry — you’ll be back to enjoying your favorite snacks before you know it! For now, you’ll need to be mindful of foods that could damage your new appliances.
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 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 from Braces and Appliances
Some tenderness after getting braces is completely normal and won’t last! To ease the discomfort, dissolve one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of lukewarm water and swish for a couple of minutes (don’t swallow).
If soreness persists, an over-the-counter pain reliever can help. It’s also common for lips, cheeks, and tongue to feel irritated for one to two weeks as they get used to the braces. Ask us for some orthodontic wax to reduce tenderness — we’re happy to help.
Loose Teeth
If your teeth feel slightly loose, that’s perfectly normal! Braces need to loosen the teeth first in order to move them. Once they reach their new positions, they will firm right back up.
Loose Wires and Bands
Wires and bands can occasionally come loose. If this happens, contact us right away so we can check and repair your appliance. If a piece comes off, save it and bring it with you to your appointment.
You can gently press a loose wire back into place with the eraser end of a pencil or the back of a spoon. If it’s irritating your cheek or lip, cover it with orthodontic wax or a wet cotton ball until your visit.
Care for Your Appliances
Damaged appliances can extend your treatment time, so handle them with care. Your teeth can only shift correctly if you consistently wear rubber bands, headgear, retainers, and any other appliances your doctor has prescribed.
Playing Sports with Braces
Great news for athletes: you can keep playing sports throughout orthodontic treatment! Wearing a mouthguard is strongly recommended to protect your teeth and appliance. Ask your doctor for a recommendation on the best option for your sport.
After any sports-related contact, check your mouth and appliance for damage right away. If you notice loose teeth or a damaged appliance, contact our office immediately. Wax or a warm saltwater rinse can provide temporary comfort in the meantime.
