Life with Braces

» For Appointment Scheduling information visit our Appointment Scheduling page.

Choose a topic:

- Eating with Braces
- Foods to Avoid
- Discomfort
- Loosening of Teeth
- Brushing and Flossing
- Compliance and Co-operation
- Emergency Care

Eating with Braces

The foods to avoid during orthodontic treatment are those that can damage the wires and brackets when chewing: hard, sticky, crunchy, chewy foods. Bent wires and broken or loose brackets can delay treatment and require additional appointments for repair.

Foods to Avoid

• Chewy foods: bagels, hard 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
• Chewing on hard things (for example, pens, pencils or fingernails) can damage the braces.

Fresh fruits and vegetables that are hard can still be eaten if cut into small portions so chewing is done with the back molars.

During the first day or two after an appointment, you may experience some tenderness and will want to eat softer foods.

Discomfort

When you get your braces on or have them adjusted, you will feel pressure on your teeth (they are starting to move!) and you may experience some tenderness when biting and chewing for a few days. If the tooth pressure is really bothersome, you can take whatever you would take for a headache to minimize any discomfort. The lips, cheeks and tongue may also become irritated as they toughen and become accustomed to the surface of the braces. We will give you plenty of soft wax to put on the rough areas to make you more comfortable while the soft tissues get used to the braces. Warm salt rinses several times a day can also help relieve any irritation (dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water).

Loosening of Teeth

The teeth do become mobile when orthodontic forces are applied. The teeth must loosen first so they can be moved. The teeth will eventually become stable when they are in their new, corrected positions.

Brushing and Flossing

It is more important than ever to brush and floss regularly when you have braces. The area of the tooth that is covered by a band or bracket is protected; the exposed areas are your responsibility to keep clean. You should brush your teeth immediately after eating using the proper techniques for brushing with braces (we will show you how). If brushing right away is not possible, rinsing vigorously with water is helpful to dislodge any collected food. Failure to brush and floss properly can cause inflamed, swollen gums and decay. Poor brushing habits can lead to permanent scars on the teeth (decalcification) as well as extend treatment time. We check oral hygiene at each appointment making sure the correct cleaning techniques are being used. It is important to see your general dentist every six months for a professional cleaning just like you would do without braces. Healthy teeth and gums are essential to efficient tooth movement.

Compliance and Co-operation

Successful orthodontic treatment depends on the teamwork of the doctor and the patient. The doctor designs a custom treatment plan and prescribes specific appliances. The patient must take care of the appliances and wear elastics, head gear or other external force systems as instructed. A regular appointment schedule is mandatory-missed appointments and failure to schedule appointments will delay treatment.

Emergency Care

Even though you are careful, there are occasions when a wire or band/bracket can be damaged. If the office is closed, you can call the office number, follow the prompts and either leave a message for the receptionist (call returned when office is reopened) or, in the case of a serious emergency, leave a message for the doctors (they will be paged and will return your call immediately). Following are some guidelines to follow if an emergency occurs:

• Loose band/bracket - An appointment is needed, call for a time.
• Archwire breaks or becomes bent - An appointment is needed, call for a time.
• Poking wire - An appointment is needed, call for a time.
• Trauma to mouth - Call office immediately. If closed, page the doctors; your call will be returned right away.

A loose band/bracket can increase the chance for getting cavities so call the office as soon as you notice anything loose. Also, if you fail to keep regular appointments, we cannot properly monitor your braces. Loose bands can go undetected, wires can be unknowingly bent resulting in extended treatment time as well as possible damage to the gums and teeth.

↑ Top of page