Click below to learn more about:
Braces Diagram
Eating With Braces
Avoid
General Soreness
Loosening of Teeth
Care of Appliances
Discomfort and Emergencies
Cooperation
Regular Dental Check-Ups
Mouthguards

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What can you eat? Let's talk about what you shouldn't eat! If you've been wanting to drop a few pounds, the first week wearing braces is just your chance! For the first day or so, stick to soft foods. Avoid tough meats, hard breads, and raw vegetables. Before long, you'll be able to bite a cucumber again. But you'll need to protect your orthodontic appliances when you eat for as long as you're wearing braces.

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Chewy foods: bagels, hard rolls, licorice
Crunchy foods: popcorn, ice, chips.
Sticky foods: caramels, gum (some sugarless gums are ok).
Hard foods: nuts, candy
Foods you have to bite into: corn on the cob, apples, carrots
Chewing on hard things (for example, pens, pencils or fingernails) can damage the braces. Damaged braces will cause treatment to take longer.
A more specific list of foods to avoid will be supplied when treatment begins.

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When you get your braces on, you may feel general soreness in your mouth and teeth may be tender to biting pressures for three to five days. This can be relieved by rinsing your mouth with a warm salt water mouthwash. Dissolve one teaspoonful of salt in 8 ounces of warm water, and rinse your mouth vigorously. If the tenderness is severe, take whatever you normally take for headache or similar pain. The lips, cheeks and tongue may also become irritated for one to two weeks as they toughen and become accustomed to the surface of the braces. You can put wax on the braces to alleviate this. We'll show you how!

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This is to be expected throughout treatment. Don't worry! It's normal. Teeth must loosen first so they can be moved. The teeth will again become rigidly fixed in their new—corrected—positions.

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Brushing & Flossing Video

Orthodontic bands and wires are food-catchers. It is therefore important that the teeth be carefully brushed after each meal and snack. After brushing, the appliances should be checked to see if they appear clean and shiny with no food particles or plaque. Fluoride gel should be used each night. We provide prescription strength fluoride for your convenience. Failure to keep the mouth clean increases the likelihood of dental decay and etching of the enamel around the edges of the brackets and bands. Patients who keep their teeth clean and use fluoride daily usually have a minimum of decay or decalcification marks if any.

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Normally, there will be some discomfort following each adjustment. This may last two to four days. Rinsing the mouth with warm salt water will help somewhat and pain relievers such as those taken for headaches may be taken when necessary. Chewing sugarless gum will also help reduce the dental soreness. If an area of the mouth becomes unduly irritated, that part of the appliance causing the irritation may be covered with wax, cotton, or some other “cushioning” substance until an appointment to fix the problem
is made.

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The success of orthodontic treatment is keynoted by cooperation. It is very important that all instructions be carefully and completely followed. The main areas of concern include:

• Wearing auxiliaries such as elastics as instructed. Elastics are to be worn all the time unless otherwise instructed. They may be removed during meals and while brushing. Replace twice each day when brushing or as necessary due to breakage. Follow directions carefully since wearing elastics in the wrong directions may result in the teeth moving in the wrong direction. If you run out of rubber bands, call our office for a new supply.
• Being present and on time for all appointments
• Maintaining good oral hygiene
• Minimizing appliance breakages
• Immediate reporting of broken appliances

Poor cooperation in any of these areas can markedly lengthen treatment time and may detract from the end result. Compliance with these factors will assure your completion of treatment in the minimum amount of time, with the best possible result.

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It is recommended that regular dental check-ups be continued by your dentist during active orthodontic treatment. We work in conjunction with your dentist to make sure you have straight and healthy teeth!

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A protective mouthguard is advised for playing sports with or without braces! In case of any accident involving the face, check your mouth and the appliances immediately. If teeth are loosened or the appliances damaged, phone at once for an appointment. In the meantime, treat your discomfort as you would treat any general soreness.

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