What to Expect with Braces
- Brush your teeth with a SOFT nylon toothbrush after you eat and before bed.
- Brush, rinse, and look; if you find any areas that are not clean, brush them again.
- Brush your gums as you brush your teeth.
- If no toothpaste is available, brush without toothpaste.
- If you are unable to brush, rinse your mouth vigorously with water.
- Replace your old toothbrush when it gets worn out.
- It is absolutely essential that you continue regular visits to your family dentist for checkups and cleanings throughout your orthodontic treatment!
Foods to Avoid with Braces
After your orthodontic appliance has been placed, the teeth will be tender to biting pressure for 5 to 10 days. Of course this can vary with different patients. During this period of tenderness, softer foods are recommended, such as soups, macaroni, spaghetti, fish, eggs, yogurt, Jello, milkshakes, etc. Tylenol or Advil will help relieve any discomfort. Warm salt-water rinses are also helpful. Use the soft white wax where it is needed.
Hard and sticky foods will break off brackets, bend wires, and loosen bands, which will extend your total treatment time. Foods high in sugar can cause cavities, calculus build-up, and ugly stains on your teeth. So, what can you do? You must limit your diet to softer healthy foods. There are certain types of foods that must be avoided during orthodontic treatment:
HARD FOODS
Ice, nuts, popcorn, peanut brittle, rock candy, apples & carrots (unless cut into pieces), corn on the cob, hard pretzels, hard rolls, bagels, hard tacos, corn chips.
STICKY FOODS
Jolly Ranches, caramels, bubble gum, taffy, suckers, Starburst candy, Dots / jelly candies.
CHEWY FOODS
Pizza crust, crusty breads, beef jerky, gummy bears, avoid chewing on pens and pencils.
SUGARY FOODS & DRINKS
Cake, ice cream, cookies, pie, candy, soda pop, drinks with sugar.
Comfort Care Appointments
While we recognize that orthodontic “emergencies” are not life-and-death situations, we also understand that situations may occur that cause discomfort.
Teeth, when moving, can be really tender for about a week after the initial placement of the orthodontic appliances and also after each adjustment. Discomfort can be relieved by over-the-counter pain relievers such as Tylenol or Motrin. Follow the dosage recommendations and any additional precautions as listed on the bottle. Some patients find it helpful to take the first dose at the appointment time to help prevent some of the discomfort to come when the teeth start to move.
During the first two weeks, the inside of your cheeks will be tender because they are not used to the braces. As time goes by, the inside of the cheeks will toughen up and adjust to the braces. While the cheeks are still overly sensitive, using wax on the rough spots can be very helpful. Also helpful are warm saltwater rinses which soothe the cheek lining (see instructions below).
Some inconveniences while going through treatment are normal. Many times repairs can wait until your next regular appointment. Of course, we are here to serve you and encourage you to call any time you have a question.
Making a Saltwater Rinse
To make a salt water rinse:
- Mix ½ teaspoon of table salt in one cup of warm water.
- Stir until the salt is completely dissolved.
- Gently swish about ¼ of the cup in your mouth for 30 seconds. Make sure you force the water over the areas that feel sore.
- Then spit the water into the sink.
- Repeat until the entire cup is gone.
