Proper care of your braces is essential for ensuring your smile stays healthy when undergoing orthodontic treatment. Below is everything you need to know about living with braces, from brushing tips to sports safety.
Brushing and Flossing with Braces
Good oral hygiene is more important than ever when you have braces. Brushing and flossing can become tricky due to the brackets and wires, but keeping your teeth and gums healthy is vital to avoid complications. Those who neglect proper hygiene may need to visit the dentist more frequently for professional cleanings. For adults with a history of gum disease, seeing a periodontist during orthodontic treatment is recommended.
Watch the videos below to learn the best brushing and flossing techniques with braces!
What Can I Eat with Braces?
It’s common to wonder what foods are safe to eat with braces. For the first day or so after adjustments, it’s best to stick to soft foods like scrambled eggs, soups, and smoothies. Avoid tough meats, hard breads, and raw veggies that could damage your braces. But don’t worry, you’ll soon be able to enjoy most of your favorite foods again—with a bit of care, of course.
Foods to Avoid with Braces:
- Chewy: bagels, chewy candies, hard rolls
- Crunchy: popcorn, ice, raw carrots
- Sticky: caramel, gum, fruit snacks
- Hard: nuts, hard candies, taco shells
- Foods to Bite Into: whole apples, corn on the cob, chicken wings
Be cautious with habits like chewing on pens, pencils, or fingernails, as they can damage your braces and lengthen treatment time.
Managing Discomfort
It’s normal to feel some discomfort after getting your braces. You might experience general soreness in your mouth, and your teeth could feel tender for 3-5 days. Over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol can help ease discomfort.
Additionally, your lips, cheeks, and tongue may feel irritated for the first few weeks while adjusting to the braces. Orthodontic wax is a helpful tool for easing discomfort caused by irritation. Apply it to affected areas as needed.
The Importance of Rubber Bands
Rubber bands are a key part of many orthodontic treatments. For your treatment to be effective, it’s important to wear them exactly as prescribed. Consistency is key—failure to wear rubber bands or follow your orthodontist’s instructions could lead to extended treatment time.
Remember: You and your orthodontist are a team working together to create your perfect smile!
Why Do My Teeth Feel Loose?
Feeling like your teeth are a little loose is completely normal! During the process of realignment, teeth need to loosen slightly before they can move into their new positions. Rest assured, once your treatment is complete, your teeth will become secure in their corrected positions.
Dealing with Loose Wires or Bands
Sometimes, wires or bands may become loose. If this happens, there’s no need to panic. If a wire is causing discomfort, carefully push it back into place with a pencil eraser. This should be done gently and only if you’re unable to relieve discomfort with wax.
If the irritation continues, place wax or a small piece of wet cotton on the wire and call our office to schedule a repair appointment.
Staying Active with Braces
Playing sports with braces is possible, but taking extra precautions is important. If you’re involved in contact sports, let us know so we can provide you with a custom-fit mouthguard. Wearing a mouthguard helps protect both your braces and your teeth from injury during sports activities.
Don’t let your braces prevent you from giving your best performance—protect them and keep smiling confidently both on and off the field!
