Life with Braces
Once you have braces it is important to learn the proper way to maintain them ensuring you receive the most effective orthodontic treatment
Impact on eating
Eating with braces will require you to keep a close eye on what you consume. Foods that are sticky or chewy may prove to be difficult to clean out of your braces and are best avoided.
Here are some examples of foods to avoid:
- Crunchy fruits or vegetables like apples or raw carrots
- Sticky/Chewy candy like starburst, skittles or bubble gum
- Food with small debris or seeds like popcorn or raspberries
Here is a list of foods you can still enjoy with braces:
- Dairy Products – soft cheese, milk-based drinks, ice cream
- Bread – soft bread, pancakes, muffins that don’t contain nuts
- Seafood – salmon, tuna or shrimp
- Vegetables – any vegetable as long as it is cooked enough to remove crunchiness
- Fruits – bananas, smoothies, applesauce
Getting comfortable once you have braces
Braces will feel uncomfortable once they are installed. Don’t worry this will not last forever! This happens to everyone initially. We recommend mixing salt with a cup of lukewarm water and swishing it around in your mouth for a minute or two. This will help alleviate the discomfort. If this doesn’t work we suggest taking an anti-inflammatory.
Braces will also irritate your lips, tongue and cheek. This should go away within the first couple of weeks. If it persists we can put wax on your braces to improve comfort.
Loose Teeth Tips
As braces are correcting the alignment of your teeth it is normal to feel your teeth become loose. Once your teeth are aligned they will no longer be loose.
Loose Wires & Bands
It is possible that the bands and wires on your braces may become loose. Contact your orthodontist as soon as you can so an adjustment to your braces can be made.
Maintain your braces
The better you take care of your braces the better they work. For teeth and jaw alignment to reach their goal position it is important you follow the instructions given to you by your orthodontist. That means wearing your retainer, headgear and rubber bands as prescribed.
Sports and braces
Braces will not stop you from playing sports! If you are going to continue playing sports once you have braces we recommend using a mouthguard. Your orthodontist will be able to help you find the right mouthguard.
