Life With Braces
Adjusting to braces is a normal part of your smile journey! You might feel a little awkward, and your teeth may be tender or sensitive to pressure at first. This is completely normal and a sign that your teeth are beginning to move. Any initial soreness typically subsides within a few days, or even hours.
If your braces feel like they’re “sticking out” or irritating your cheeks, a small piece of orthodontic wax can provide immediate relief. We’ll provide you with wax at your appointment, and you can always call us at Orthodontic Associates if you need more.
Some patients find it helpful to take an over-the-counter pain reliever (like ibuprofen or acetaminophen) before their appointment or during the first day of treatment to minimize any discomfort. Remember, this initial tenderness is temporary, and soon you’ll hardly notice your braces!
Eating Right
Your braces are securely attached, but certain foods can cause damage to brackets and wires. To ensure your treatment progresses smoothly and efficiently, it’s important to choose your foods wisely. A well-balanced diet is also crucial for maintaining a healthy environment for your teeth throughout your orthodontic journey.
To protect your braces and keep your treatment on track, please avoid foods that are:
Sticky:
Can pull off brackets or bend wires.
Hard:
Can break brackets or wires.
Chewy:
Can bend wires and dislodge bands.
Foods to Avoid While in Braces
Here are some common culprits that can cause problems:
- Gum
- Nuts (almonds, peanuts, etc.)
- Hard candies (lollipops, jawbreakers)
- Sticky candies (caramel, taffy, gummy bears)
- Popcorn (unpopped kernels can break brackets)
- Hard pretzels
- Ice (don’t chew!)
- Whole apples (cut into small pieces first)
- Corn on the cob (cut kernels off the cob)
- Hard breads (bagels, crusty rolls)
- Beef jerky
- Crisp taco shells
- Corn chips
- Soda and sugary drinks
- Candy bars with nuts or caramel
Brushing with Braces
Now that you have your braces, your teeth are more difficult to clean, so you have to be very careful to keep those new braces clean. You should brush your teeth properly after every meal and snack. Always keep your toothbrush handy, you should even be brushing at school or work after lunch. You will also need to replace your toothbrush more often since the braces will make it wear out quicker.
Flossing with Braces
Flossing with braces is a bit on the tricky side, so it takes a few minutes to perfect. But don’t give up, flossing is very important to the health of your teeth.
- Thread your floss under the wire that connects your braces together.
- Once you have threaded the floss under the wire, wrap the floss around the tooth on one side. The floss is then pushed up towards the gum line and then pulled down toward the wire.
- Wrap the floss around the neighboring tooth.
- Once both teeth are done, pull the floss out and repeat the process on the rest of the teeth.
Tools to Help with Orthodontic Care
Interdental Brushes
The interdental brush is especially good at cleaning the tooth surface next to the braces.
Water Jets
The water jet is an effective tool to remove plaque and debris lodged deep between teeth and around braces. The water jet shoots a pulsing stream of water that dislodges remaining food particles. Adding an antiseptic dental rinse to the water is recommended. Use the water jet after your regular brushing and flossing routine.
Rinses
A fluoride rinse that is alcohol free is highly recommended as it helps prevent tooth decay by killing harmful bacteria and replenishing minerals in tooth enamel that have been exposed to harmful acids.
An antiseptic dental rinse (Peroxyl) should be used after every meal to control minor gum inflammation and irritations that might arise from orthodontic treatment. Rinsing does not replace brushing. You should always rinse after brushing and flossing.
Sticking to these guidelines helps prevent broken appliances, which can lead to extra visits for repairs and potentially extend your treatment time. You’ll have plenty of time to enjoy all your favorite foods after your beautiful new smile is complete! If you have any specific questions about food choices, don’t hesitate to ask Dr. Quiles or our team.