Eating with Braces
So what can and can't you eat with braces? If you stick by the general rule of avoiding super crunchy foods and sticky chewy foods, your braces treatment will be a piece of cake. If you don't live by this rule, this could mean damaged braces and wires, which can lengthen your treatment.
Foods to Avoid
Chewy foods: bagels, hard rolls, Tootsie Rolls, licorice
Crunchy foods: popcorn, ice, chips,
Sticky foods: caramels, gum
Hard foods: nuts, candy
Foods you have to bite into: corn on the cob, apples, carrots (OK if you cut into small pieces)
And don't chew on hard things. Pens, pencils, and erasers can wreck havok on your appliances.
Are Braces Painful??
When you get your braces on, you may feel some soreness in your mouth and your teeth may be tender to biting pressures for three to five days. This can be relieved by rinsing your mouth with a warm salt water mouthwash, or by taking the same medicine you would if you had a headache.
The lips, cheeks, and tongue may also become irritated for one to two weeks as they toughen and become accustomed to the surface of the braces. You can put wax on the braces to lessen this.
To use the wax (in your patient kit)
Step 1 - Ball up a small amount of the wax with your fingers
Step 2 - Dry off your brace with a paper towel
Step 3 - Mash the wax against your bracket to make a small comfort mound.
Replace if neccesary. And don't worry if you happen to swallow this, it's just wax.
Loosening of Teeth
This is to be expected throughout treatment. Don't worry! It's normal. Teeth must loosen first so they can be moved. The teeth will again become rigidly fixed in their new – corrected – positions.
Loose Wire or Band
Don't be alarmed if a wire or band comes loose. This happens occasionally. If a wire protrudes and is irritating, use a blunt instrument (the back of spoon or the eraser end of a pencil) and carefully, gently push the irritating wire under the archwire. Simply get it out of the way. If irritation to the lips or mouth continues, place wax or wet cotton on the wire to reduce the annoyance. Call our office as soon as possible for an appointment to check and repair the appliances. If any piece comes off, save it and bring it with you to the office.
Brushing
It's more important than ever to brush and floss regularly when you have braces so the teeth and gums are healthy after 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.
View our videos on taking care of your braces under our patient into tab!
Athletics
If you play any sports that normally require a mouthguard without braces, we recommend you wear one with braces. Ask us at your next appointment and we will show you what an orthodontic mouthguard looks like. They are available in the office and at most retail stores.