Eating with Braces
While it seems that some patients may be able to eat or drink almost anything during orthodontic treatment, there are certain dietary foods and habits that are known to cause trouble:
- Food and drink with high sugar or acid content and/or sticky foods tend to adhere to the braces and the teeth, creating an ideal situation for tooth decay. These would include taffy and caramels, gum, regular soda pop, and lemon juice (very abrasive). Avoidance of these substances is best, but reducing them and brushing and flossing immediately afterward is imperative.
- Hard foods such as nuts, corn nuts, hard candies, chips, crusty bread, and crisp taco shells can break brackets and/or wires and dislodge bands. Chewing on ice, pens, or pencils should also be avoided.
- Gum places added stress on the braces and will bend light arch wires. Also, both gum and sticky foods can become stuck to braces and getting it loose can break the seal of adhesive we use to bond your braces to your teeth.
- The shearing forces of biting into raw apples and carrots can cause the anterior braces to become dislodged. Please cut these types of foods into wedges or sections and place them into your mouth from the side, rather than the front.
- Popcorn is the greatest offender. It is not only hard, but the hull can become lodged beneath the braces and cause irritation to the gum tissue (see gum infections sheet). If you choose to eat popcorn, brush immediately afterward and remove any hulls. Never chew the unpopped kernels!
Generally, you should be able to enjoy most of your favorite foods and drinks, with these few exceptions. Your cooperation in this matter will result in the fastest treatment time possible, while minimizing any chance for tooth decay. Please call if you have questions.
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. We'll show you how you can put wax on the braces to lessen this.
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.
Appliance Instructions (choose an appliance below)
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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