Life With Braces

It is very important for you to know how to properly take care of your braces throughout your entire orthodontic treatment. Taking care of your braces ensures better results as well as faster treatment times.

Eating with Braces

Once you have your braces on there are a few changes that you will have to make as far as certain food types. This is just to make sure that nothing you eat will damage your braces. Our patients have shown that they get used to this very quickly and before you know it you are enjoying the foods you love again!

Foods to AVOID with braces: typically anything hard, sticky or chewy

  • Bagels (cut into small pieces and avoid if hard)
  • Popcorn & Chips; Avoid chewing any kind of Ice
  • Chewing gum, Caramel & Hard candies
  • Any kind of Nuts
  • Corn on the cob, Apples, Carrots — cut them into smaller pieces instead of biting into them

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, banana’s, fruit juice
  • Treats — ice cream without nuts, milkshakes, Jell-O, soft cake

Soreness Caused from Braces

When you first get your braces, your teeth and mouth may feel a little tender or sore. This is normal and is because of the force being exerted on your teeth for the first time. Typically, an over the counter analgesic like Tylenol or Advil will relieve any soreness if needed at all. Please ensure you have no allergies to these medications before you take them.

As they get used to the braces, your lips, cheeks, and tongue may become irritated for a few days. We will provide you with some wax that you can put over the braces to lessen the discomfort.

Loose Teeth, Wires and Bands

As the force from the wires act on the teeth they will slowly become loose so that they can move into the correct positions. This is normal. Once in the desired positions the teeth will firm up again.

If the wires and bands become loose then make sure you contact our office as soon as possible. We will check your appliance and make the necessary adjustments and repairs if needed. If any piece of your appliance comes off, be sure to save it and bring it to the office with you.

If a wire is hurting your cheek you can temporarily fix it by using the eraser end of a pencil to gently push the wire back into place. If the loose wire is causing irritation to your lips or cheeks, put wax over the broken wire to relieve the pain.

Take Care of Your Appliances

It is important to take care of all of your appliances because any damage to them can increase the length of your treatment. Your teeth and jaw can only move into their correct positions if you listen and follow all our instructions as far as rubber band wear, appliance or retainers that we have advised you.

Playing Sports with Braces

You can still play sports even while wearing braces or aligners! It is recommended that you wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth and your appliance.

Let us know if you need help finding the right mouthguard as we also fabricate customized mouthguard’s for our patients who play sports. With Dr. Thomas’ involvement with the Academy of Sports Dentistry it tends to be quite a few of them!