Taking Care of Your Braces
Now that you have your braces, it is important to know how to properly take care of them throughout your orthodontic treatment. Good care helps protect your appliances, keeps your mouth healthy, and can even shorten treatment time.
Eating With Braces
Do not worry — you will be eating popcorn and snacking on potato chips again in no time. However, while your braces are on, you will need to take special care to avoid foods that could damage your 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 and 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 by Braces and Appliances
When you first get your braces, your teeth and mouth may feel tender or sore. This is completely normal and temporary. To help relieve soreness, dissolve one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of lukewarm water and gently swish the solution in your mouth for a few minutes. Do not swallow the saltwater.
If discomfort is more severe or does not improve, you may take an over the counter pain reliever. It is also common for lips, cheeks, and the tongue to feel irritated for one to two weeks as they adjust to the braces. Orthodontic wax can be placed over brackets or wires to reduce irritation. If you need wax, please contact our office.
Loose Teeth
If your teeth begin to feel slightly loose, do not worry. This is a normal part of orthodontic treatment. Teeth must loosen slightly in order to move into their correct positions. Once repositioned, they will no longer feel loose.
Loose Wires and Bands
Occasionally, wires or bands may come loose. If this happens, please contact our office as soon as possible so we can check and repair your appliance. If a piece comes off completely, save it and bring it with you to your appointment.
You can temporarily relieve discomfort by using the back of a spoon or the eraser end of a pencil to gently push a loose wire into a more comfortable position. If irritation continues, place wax or a damp cotton ball over the wire until you can be seen in the office.
Take Care of Your Appliances
Damaged appliances can increase the length of your treatment. Your teeth and jaw can only move correctly if you consistently wear rubber bands, reverse pull headgear, retainers, or other appliances exactly as prescribed by your orthodontist.
Playing Sports With Braces
Good news for athletes — you can still play sports while wearing braces. If you participate in sports, it is strongly recommended that you wear a mouthguard to protect both your teeth and your appliance. Let us know if you need help selecting the right mouthguard.
In the event of a sports related injury, check your mouth and braces immediately. If you notice loose teeth or damage to your appliance, contact our office right away. You may temporarily relieve discomfort with orthodontic wax or by rinsing with warm saltwater.