Brushing and Flossing
It’s more important than ever to brush and floss regularly when you have braces, ensuring that your teeth and gums remain healthy during orthodontic treatment.
- Patients who do not keep their teeth clean may require more frequent visits to the dentist for a professional cleaning.
- Adults who have a history of gum disease should also see a periodontist during orthodontic treatment.
Eating with Braces
What can you eat? Let’s focus on the foods you should avoid! For the first day or so, it’s best to stick to soft foods. Avoid tough meats, hard breads, and raw vegetables. Before long, you’ll be able to bite into a cucumber again! However, protecting your orthodontic appliances during meals is essential for the duration of your braces.
Foods to Avoid
To ensure your orthodontic treatment progresses smoothly, please avoid the following foods:
- Chewy foods: Soft bagels, gummy candies, thick crust pizzas
- Crunchy foods: Hard chips, pretzels, raw nuts
- Sticky foods: Taffy, caramel popcorn, chewy granola bars
- Hard foods: Ice cubes, hard pretzels, tough meats
- Foods you have to bite into: Whole pears, celery sticks, large sandwiches
Also, refrain from chewing on hard objects like pens, pencils, or fingernails, as these habits can damage your braces and delay your treatment.
General Soreness
When you first get your braces, it’s normal to experience some soreness in your mouth. Your teeth may feel tender to biting pressures for 3 to 5 days. Over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol can help ease this discomfort. Additionally, the lips, cheeks, and tongue may become irritated for one to two weeks as they adjust to the braces. We will provide wax that you can apply to your braces in irritated areas to alleviate discomfort.
Loosening of Teeth
Experiencing some loosening of your teeth throughout your treatment is perfectly normal. Don’t worry! This is a necessary phase, as your teeth must loosen to move into their corrected positions. They will stabilize once your treatment is completed.
Loose Wire or Band
If a wire or band comes loose, there’s no need for an alarm; this can happen from time to time. If a wire is sticking out and causing irritation:
- Gently use a blunt instrument (like the eraser end of a pencil) to push the wire back under the archwire to relieve discomfort.
- If irritation persists, placing wax or wet cotton on the wire can help.
Please contact our office promptly to schedule an appointment for us to check and repair the issue.
Rubber Band Wear
Successful orthodontic treatment requires collaboration between you and your orthodontist. The teeth and jaws can only move toward their corrected positions if you consistently wear the rubber bands or other appliances as prescribed. Neglecting these instructions or having damaged appliances may prolong your treatment time, so adhering to all guidelines is vital.
Athletics
If you are involved in sports, it’s crucial to let us know. Sports-related injuries to the mouth and jaw are among the most common injuries sustained by athletes. Protecting your smile while engaging in sports is essential when you have braces.
- Mouthguards can help shield your teeth and gums from injury.
- If you participate in high-contact sports, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends wearing a mouthguard.
Be sure to ask Dr. Andrew Cedarbaum about mouthguards at your next appointment.
