It is important to take care of your braces! We have provided some helpful information to ensure you receive optimum results.
Eating with Braces
For most situations, common sense will tell you what to avoid. Hard foods, sticky foods and foods high in sugar must be avoided. Hard foods can break or damage wires and brackets. Sticky foods can get caught between brackets and wires. Minimize sugary foods; 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:
- Gum (sugar-free or regular)
- Licorice
- Sugar Daddies
- Toffee
- Tootsie Rolls
- Caramels
- Starburst
Examples of Hard Foods to Avoid:
- Ice
- Nuts
- Hard taco shells
- French bread crust/rolls
- Corn on the cob
- Apples and carrots (unless cut into small pieces)
- Bagels
- Chips
- Jolly Ranchers
- Pizza crust
- Uncooked carrots (unless cut)
Minimize Sugary Foods like:
- Cake
- Ice Cream
- Cookies
-
- Pie
- Candy
Only Once a Day:
- Soda
- Sweetened tea
- Gatorade
- Kool-Aid
- 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.
Soreness with Braces
You may notice some soreness in your mouth after getting your braces and after adjustments, but this is temporary and a good indication that treatment is working. You can use a salt water solution to help alleviate the discomfort. Dissolve one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of lukewarm water and then swish and gargle in your mouth for a couple of minutes. If the pain is persistent, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Please contact us if you need anything.
Loose Teeth
Don't worry if your teeth begin to feel loose. In order to move your teeth into the right position, the braces must first loosen your teeth. Once the teeth have moved into the correct position they will not be loose any longer.
Loose Wires & Bands
If your wires and bands on your braces become loose, contact our office so we can make necessary repairs. If a piece comes off, be sure to save it and bring it with you the office.
If a wire has come out of place you can carefully try to put it back into place with an eraser. If that doesn't help, use some wax or a wet cotton ball to cover the wire and reduce irritation.
Taking Care of Your Appliances
Be sure to take special care of your braces and appliances because damage to them will only prolong treatment. It is important for you to wear your rubber bands, headgear and retainers as instructed by Dr. Goodman to achieve the optimum results.
Brushing & Flossing Your Teeth with Braces
Brushing and flossing your teeth while in braces is important to keep your teeth and gums healthy. You should brush your teeth after every meal and before bed each day. Please ask us for recommendations on what type of toothbrush, toothpaste and floss you should use.
Learn more about proper techniques for brushing and flossing on our Oral Hygiene page.
Playing Sports with Braces
Don't let having braces keep you from playing the sport you love! We recommend the use of a mouthguard to protect your teeth and braces while you are playing sports.
In the event of a sporting emergency, check your mouth for any injury to your mouth or damage to your appliance. Contact us if anything seems out of the ordinary.