 Eating
with Braces
What can you eat? Let's talk about what you shouldn't eat!
If you've been wanting to drop a few pounds, the first week
wearing braces is just your chance! For the first day or so,
stick to soft foods.
Avoid tough meats, hard breads, and raw vegetables. Before
long, you'll be able to bite a cucumber again. But you'll
need to protect your orthodontic appliances when you eat for
as long as you're wearing braces.
| 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. Damaged braces will cause treatment
to
take longer.
|
General Soreness
When you get your braces on, you may feel general soreness
in your mouth and teeth may be tender to biting pressures
for three to five days. This can be relieved by rinsing your
mouth with a warm salt water mouthwash.
Dissolve one teaspoonful of salt in 8 ounces of warm water,
and rinse your mouth vigorously. If the tenderness is severe,
take aspirin or whatever you normally take for headache or
similar pain.
The lips, cheeks and tongue may also become irritated for
one to two weeks as they toughen and become accustomed to
the surface of the braces. You can put wax on the braces to
lessen this. We'll show you how!
Loosening of Teeth
This is to be expected throughout treatment. Don't worry!
It's normal. Teeth must loosen first so they can be moved.
The teeth will again become rigidly fixed in their new –
corrected – positions.
Care of Appliances
To successfully complete the treatment plan, the patient must
work together with the orthodontist. The teeth and jaws can
only move toward their corrected positions if the patient
consistently wears the rubber bands, headgear or other appliances
as prescribed. Damaged appliances lengthen the treatment time.
Brushing
It's more important than ever to brush and floss regularly
when you have braces, so the teeth and gums are healthy after
orthodontic treatment. Patients who do not keep their teeth
clean may require more frequent visits to the dentist for
a professional cleaning. Adults who have a history of gum
disease should also see a periodontist during orthodontic
treatment.
| Retainer Instructions |
- Wear your retainers full time, until the doctor
instructs otherwise.
- Take your retainers out when eating... and always
put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are
lost in school lunch rooms or restaurants.)
- Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush
and toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water. Brushing
retainers removes the plaque, and eliminates odors.
Efferdent or other orthodontic appliance cleaners
can be used, but do not take the place of brushing.
- When retainers are not in your mouth they should
ALWAYS be in a retainer case. Pets love to chew on
them!
- Initially, you may find it difficult to speak. Practice
speaking, reading, or singing out loud to get used
to them faster.
- Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care.
If retainers are lost or broken call us immediately.
- If you have any questions or concerns about your
retainers, or your retainers need adjusting, call
us. Do not try to adjust them yourself.
- Always bring your retainers to your appointments.
- Retainer replacement is expensive... with proper
care they will last for years!
- Remove retainers when swimming.
- Keep retainers away from hot water, hot car dashboards,
pockets, the washing machine, and napkins.
|
| Removable Expander Instructions |
- Wear your expander all the time. That means all
day, during meals, and while sleeping.
- Remove your expander only to brush your teeth. Brush
your expander at least twice a day with a toothbrush
and toothpaste.
|
| Fixed Expander Instructions |
- Turn your expansion screws as instructed. Insert
the key into the hole and turn toward the arrow.
- If you are unable to keep your scheduled appointment,
stop turning the expander.
|
Athletics
If you play sports, it's important that you consult us for
special precautions. A protective mouthguard is advised for
playing contact sports. In case of any accident involving
the face, check your mouth and the appliances immediately.
If teeth are loosened or the appliances damaged, phone at
once for an appointment. In the meantime, treat your discomfort
as you would treat any general soreness.
Loose Wire or Band
Don't be alarmed if a wire or band comes loose. This happens
occasionally. If wire protrudes and is irritating, use a blunt
instrument (back of spoon or the eraser end of a pencil) and
carefully, gently push the irritating wire under the archwire.
Simply get it out of the way.
If irritation to the lips or mouth continues, place wax or
wet cotton on the wire to reduce the annoyance. Call our office
as soon as possible for an appointment to check and repair
the appliances. If any piece comes off, save it and bring
it with you to the office.
Emergency Care
As a general rule, an emergency appointment may be made when
there is severe pain, a loose band, a broken wire or something
sticking out that you can't take care of.
It's important to know the names of the parts of your appliances.
It will help, when you phone the office, to be able to identify
what part is broken or out of place.
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