Eating with Braces
It is important to not eat Hard foods, sticky foods or foods high in sugar as they can break or damage wires and brackets. Sticky foods can get caught between brackets and wires. Minimize sugary foods as they cause tooth decay and related problems. Nail biting, pencil and pen chewing and chewing on foreign objects should be avoided.
Examples of Sticky Foods to Avoid:
|
Examples of Hard Foods to Avoid:
|
| Gum (sugar-free or regular) |
Ice |
| Licorice |
Nuts |
| SugarDaddies |
Hard taco shells |
| Toffee |
French bread crust/rolls |
| Tootsie Rolls |
Corn on the cob |
| Caramels |
Apples and carrots (unless cut into small pieces) |
| Starburst |
Bagels |
| |
Chips |
| |
Jolly Ranchers |
| |
Pizza crust |
| |
Uncooked carrots (unless cut) |
Minimize Sugary Foods like:
|
Keep to a minimum:
|
| Cake |
Soda |
| Ice Cream |
Sweetened tea |
| Cookies |
Gatorade |
| Pie |
Kool-Aid |
| Candy |
Drinks with sugar |
It’s important to regularly check your braces for bent or loose wires and brackets. In the event of a loose/broken wire or bracket, call our office immediately to arrange an appointment for repair.
General Soreness
During the first week after your braces are in place and routine adjustments are complete, you will likely feel some soreness or discomfort. You may take acetaminophen or other non-aspirin pain relievers while you adjust to your new braces. A warm wash cloth or heating pad may reduce the soreness in your jaws.
Loosening of Teeth
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Loose Wire or Bracket
Sometimes discomfort caused by a wire on your braces can be resolved by moving the wire away from the irritated area with a cotton swab or eraser. If the wire will not move, try covering the end of it with a small piece of cotton or a small amount of wax. If the wire is poking, you can cut it with nail clippers or scissors that have been washed and sterilized in alcohol. If you cannot resolve the wire irritation, call our office for an appointment. Call our office immediately for advice if a bracket is loosened. The bracket will need to be re-placed or re-cemented as soon as possible.
Care of Appliances
Brush your removable appliance every day as a part of your regular brushing and flossing schedule. Because food particles and plaque can accumulate on your appliance just as they do on your teeth, soak the appliance daily. Your appliance will taste better, and you will prevent plaque and bacterial accumulation.
Brushing
Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and a small strip of fluoride toothpaste. When you brush your teeth, move the brush in small, circular motions to reach food particles that may be under your gum line. Hold the toothbrush at an angle and brush slowly and carefully, covering all areas between teeth, between braces and the surface of each tooth. It will take you several minutes to thoroughly brush your teeth. Brush up on the lower teeth, down on the upper teeth and the outside, inside and chewing surface of your front and back teeth. Brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth before you rinse.
Especially during orthodontic treatment, brush your teeth four times daily to avoid the accumulation of food particles in your teeth and braces:
- In the morning after breakfast
- After lunch or right after school
- After supper
- At bedtime
You will need to replace your toothbrush more often due to your appliances. As soon as the bristles start to wear down or fray, replace your toothbrush with a new one. It may be difficult for your toothbrush to reach some areas under your archwire. Do not swallow any toothpaste; rinse your mouth thoroughly with water after you finish brushing. It is important to floss and use an antibacterial mouthwash and fluoride treatment throughout your orthodontic treatment and beyond for optimal oral hygiene.
Athletics
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Musical Instruments
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