The following are some of the important information and instructions for you to know how to properly take care of your braces throughout your entire orthodontic treatment
Eating with Braces
For the first day or so, stick to soft foods. Avoid tough meats, hard breads, and raw vegetables.
Foods to AVOID with braces
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Chewy foods (Ex. bagels, licorice)
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Crunchy foods (Ex. popcorn, chips, ice)
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Sticky foods (Ex. caramel candies, chewing gum)
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Hard foods (Ex. nuts, hard candies)
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Foods that require biting into
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(Ex. corn on the cob, apples, carrots)
Foods you CAN eat with braces
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Dairy (Ex. soft cheese, pudding, milk-based drinks)
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Breads (Ex. soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins w/o nuts)
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Grains (Ex. pasta, soft cooked rice)
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Meats/poultry (Ex. soft cooked chicken, meatballs, lunch meats)
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Seafood (Ex. tuna, salmon, crab cakes)
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Vegetables (Ex. mashed potatoes, steamed spinach, beans)
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Fruits (Ex. applesauce, bananas, fruit juice)
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Treats (Ex. ice cream w/o nuts, milkshakes, Jell-O, soft cake)
Soreness
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When you first get your braces, you may notice that your teeth and mouth feel a little tender or sore. This is perfectly normal for patients who have just gotten their braces put on.
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To relieve the pain, we recommend dissolving one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of lukewarm water. Swish and gargle this solution in your mouth for just a couple of minutes (do not swallow the saltwater).
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If the pain is more severe and does not go away after rinsing, you can also try taking a pain reliever. It is also common for your lips, cheeks, and tongue to become irritated for one to two weeks as they toughen and become used to the braces. You can use some wax and put over the braces to lessen the tenderness.
Loose Teeth
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It is normal if your teeth begin feeling a little loose; your braces must first loosen your teeth in order to move them into the right position.
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Once your teeth have been repositioned, they will no longer be loose.
Loose Wire and Bands
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The wires and bands on your braces may come loose. If this happens, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can check and repair your appliance.
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If any piece of your appliance comes off, be sure to save it and bring it to the clinic with you.
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You can temporarily fix the loose wire by using the back of a spoon or the eraser end of a pencil to carefully and gently push the wire back into place.
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If the loose wire is causing irritation to your lips or cheeks, put wax or a wet cotton ball over the broken wire to relieve the pain.
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When you have braces it’s very important to brush and floss after every meal in order to keep your teeth and gums healthy throughout your treatment.
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If you need help choosing the right toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss, please ask us and we can help you choose the right products for your teeth and your appliance.
Brushing
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It is very important to brush and floss regularly when you have braces.
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Patients who do not keep their teeth clean may require more frequent visits to the dentist for a professional cleaning.
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Outside and Inside of your teeth - to make a 45 degree angle toward the gum line between the head of your toothbrush and the tooth itself.
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Chewing sides of the teeth - to brush straightforward.
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To brush three teeth at a time and make sure that they are clean before moving on.
Flossing
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First step: Getting the floss under the wire that connects the braces together.
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Once the floss is under the archwire it can be wrapped around the tooth to one side.
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The floss is then pushed up toward the gum line and then pulled down toward the wire. This should be repeated four to five times to ensure all plaque is removed.
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Be careful not to put too much pressure on the wire as you pull down.
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Then wrap the floss around the neighboring tooth. Once booth teeth are done, the floss is pulled out and the process repeated for the next two teeth.
Playing sports with braces
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If you do play sports, it’s recommended that you wear a mouthguard in order to protect your teeth and your appliance. Let your doctor know if you need help finding the right mouthguard for the best protection.
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In case of a sports emergency, be sure to immediately check your mouth and your appliance for any damage that may have occurred.
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If you notice any loose teeth, or if your appliance has been damaged, please contact our office right away. You can temporarily relieve the discomfort with wax or by rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater until your appointment.
At Bright Smile, we are proud to be one of the best orthodontic center with experienced team of orthodontists. Our aim is to give utmost care using the advanced technology ensuring safe and best oral health for our patients. We specialize in all kinds of quality braces, metal braces, invisible braces, Lingual Incognito Braces, self ligating braces, Invisalign braces, Retainers and all of that to give our pateints a best dental care experience.