Life With Braces

As you begin your orthodontic treatment with braces, it is essential to know ways by which you can maintain them throughout your orthodontic treatment.

Eating With Braces

Wearing orthodontic braces can help you get your teeth back in shape and health. Your dentist can help you understand the ways by which you can take care of your orthodontic braces. It is necessary to take special care to avoid food that may 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/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 Appliance

It is natural to experience tender gums or soreness as you start wearing your dental braces. This is a perfectly normal sign and would not last. To relieve discomfort from soreness, it is recommended to rinse your mouth for just a couple of minutes with a salt solution.

In case the pain and swelling do not wear off, we would prescribe pain relievers and medication. Patients would be prepared to experience initial signs of irritation that would wear off in a couple of weeks.

Loose Teeth

Experiencing loose teeth while wearing orthodontic appliances is pretty natural and an essential requirement as well. This helps reposition your teeth back to its normal position. Once realigned, your teeth would no longer be loose.

Loose Wires And Bands

It is natural to experience loose wires and bands. 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.

Take Care Of Your Appliances

It is essential to understand that damaged appliances may extend your orthodontic treatment. 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 your doctor.

Playing Sports With Braces

Although you are under orthodontic treatment, the patient can still play sports and enjoy their time on the field. It's recommended that you wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth and your appliance. Let us know if you are in need of mouthguards, and we shall be happy to provide them.