When you begin wearing braces, it is important that you take good care of them throughout your treatment. Keeping your braces in good condition helps ensure that your treatment progresses as planned. Below are a few guidelines to help you keep your braces in top shape and care for your teeth properly during your treatment.
Eating With Braces
There are some foods that you should avoid while wearing braces in order to prevent your braces from being damaged. These include:
- Chewy foods — such as bagels and licorice
- Crunchy foods — such as popcorn, ice and chips
- Sticky foods — such as caramel and chewing gum
- Hard foods — such as nuts and hard candies
- Foods that require biting into — such as corn on the cob, raw carrots and uncut apples
Brushing and Flossing With Braces
As with normal dental hygiene, brushing and flossing with braces is an important part of keeping your teeth healthy. Here are some tips and best practices:
Brushing:
- Brush after every meal for a minimum of two minutes.
- Use fluoridated toothpaste and a small toothbrush head.
- Working your way down from the gums at a 45-degree angle, use a gentle circular motion to brush your teeth, taking special care over and around the braces.
- Remember to brush as normal over the chewing surfaces of your teeth.
Flossing:
- Carefully thread the floss through the brackets.
- Wrap the floss around your forefinger and use the tip of your finger to brace the floss.
- Using a gentle up and down motion, floss between your teeth, taking time to run the floss over the surface of each tooth.
- Remember to keep the motions gentle to prevent cut gums and bleeding.
- Repeat as needed.
Your teeth and mouth may feel tender or sore when you begin wearing braces. This should go away within a few days. Your lips, cheeks and tongue may become irritated for the first few weeks while your mouth adjusts. Our orthodontists can provide you with wax to put over your braces to help relieve tenderness and discomfort. You may also take a mild pain reliever.
Loose Teeth
Your teeth might feel a little loose as your treatment progresses. This is normal and is caused by the repositioning of your teeth. Once your teeth have achieved their proper position, they will stop feeling loose.
Loose Wires and Bands
If the wires and bands on your braces come loose, call our office immediately so that we can check your braces and make any needed repairs or adjustments. If a piece of your appliance breaks off, save the piece and bring it with you.
Take Care of Your Appliances
Damaged appliances increase the length of your treatment. Your teeth and jaw can only move into the proper positions when your appliances are in good condition and are worn consistently. Take good care of your appliances and wear your headgear, retainer, rubber bands or other appliances as directed.
Sports, Musical Instruments and Braces
You can still play sports and musical instruments while wearing braces. We recommend that you wear an athletic mouth guard to protect your teeth, gums and appliances during sporting activities. You may need to make a few adjustments while playing a musical instrument, but your braces should not cause any problems.
If you have any other questions about life with braces, please feel free to contact our office.