Braces
Congratulations on taking measures to improve your smile for health and beauty!
What to expect NOW after getting the braces placed on your teeth
You may have more saliva coming in your mouth.
Difficulty in speaking.
- Don’t worry, that’s normal and will settle down after 2–3 days up to 1 week.
You may feel tenderness or pain when chewing for the next few days.
- Prefer a softer or semi-solid diet. Incorporate solid foods as you feel more comfortable.
- Put dental wax (as provided to you) on any brackets that are rubbing on soft oral tissues (lips and cheeks). For a few nights after the initial placement of brackets, we suggest wearing the wax on the top front six brackets to help your lip slide more comfortably over your braces.
- Nightly warm salt water rinses also help to prepare the soft tissues to better handle the appliances.
Tips to maintain good oral hygiene with braces
Rinse thoroughly after eating.
Floss daily under the wire using a floss threader.
Clean around brackets 3 times a day with an orthodontic toothbrush.
- For an even more effective clean, we recommend using an electric toothbrush
While wearing your braces, be sure to schedule regular cleanings every 4–6 months to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
The brackets and wires on your teeth make it harder for you to clean them. Trapped food particles and plaque are a breeding ground for cavity-causing bacteria. If gum disease develops, it causes swelling of the gums, which makes proper cleaning even more difficult, so it is very important to keep your mouth clean after each meal.
Foods to Avoid While Wearing Your Braces
Becoming familiar with your braces usually means making a few adjustments in your eating habits. Some foods damage your braces or cause problems for your teeth. The following list of foods should either be avoided OR you must prepare these foods differently than you have in the past and use caution while eating them.
Apples
Don’t bite into a whole apple; cut the apple into small pieces.
Bubble Gum
You may be able to chew sugarless gum only.
Candy
No caramel, taffy, gummy bears, etc.
Carrots
Thinly slice carrots.
Corn on the Cob
Remove kernels from the cob.
Sticky, hard, and brittle (which break on chewing) foods
Avoid, as they can bend wires or pull brackets off.
Sugary Foods
Brush your teeth ASAP or rinse your mouth with water after having them.
NO corn chips or pretzels, ice, nuts, popcorn, pizza crust, and crusty breads.
Caution
If a bracket de-bonds or a wire is pinching your cheek, contact our office to schedule a quick adjustment as soon as possible.