Life With Braces
Life with braces is like an exciting adventure! At first, they might feel a little strange, and you’ll need to adjust to new habits, like being careful with food and learning how to floss around the brackets. But soon, it will feel like second nature. And the best part? You’ll be on your way to a beautiful smile! With a little patience and care, your “brace-faced” journey will be totally worth it!
Eating With Braces
Don’t worry, you’ll be enjoying popcorn and snacking on potato chips again before you know it! However, until then, it’s important to take extra care and avoid foods that could potentially damage your new braces. This will help keep your treatment on track so you can enjoy your favorite treats once your smile is looking perfect!
Foods to Avoid With Braces:
- Chewy foods — bagels, licorice
- Crunchy foods — popcorn, chips, ice
- Sticky foods — caramel candies, chewing gum
- Hard foods — nuts, hard candies
- Foods that require biting into — corn on the cob, apples, carrots
Foods You CAN Eat With Braces:
- Dairy — soft cheese, pudding, milk-based drinks
- Breads — soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins without nuts
- Grains — pasta, soft cooked rice
- Meats/poultry — soft cooked chicken, meatballs, lunch meats
- Seafood — tuna, salmon, crab cakes
- Vegetables — mashed potatoes, steamed spinach, beans
- Fruits — applesauce, bananas, fruit juice
- Treats — ice cream without nuts, milkshakes, Jell-O, soft cake
Soreness Caused from Braces and Appliances
When you first get your braces, you may notice that your teeth and mouth feel a little tender or sore. This is perfectly normal and we promise your mouth will not be sore forever! To relieve the pain, we recommend dissolving one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of lukewarm water. Swish and gargle this solution in your mouth for just a couple of minutes (do not swallow the saltwater).
If the discomfort is more intense and doesn’t subside after rinsing, you can also try taking a pain reliever for relief. It’s also normal for your lips, cheeks, and tongue to feel irritated for the first one to two weeks as they adjust to the braces. To help ease the tenderness, we can provide you with some orthodontic wax to cover the braces. If you’d like some wax, just let us know and feel free to stop by our Monroe office! We’re here to help you feel more comfortable during your treatment.
Loose Teeth
If your teeth start to feel a little loose, don’t worry—this is totally normal during life with braces! Braces need to first loosen your teeth so they can move into the right spot. It’s all part of the process. As your teeth shift into place, they might feel a bit wobbly, but once they’re in their new position, they’ll firm up and feel totally stable again. It’s important to remember that this is just a temporary phase. Just keep following your orthodontist’s advice and showing up for your regular check-ups, and soon enough, your smile will be looking great!
Loose Wires and Bands
If the wires or bands on your braces come loose, don’t worry! If any part of your braces comes off, make sure to save it and bring it to your appointment.
In the meantime, you can gently push a loose wire back into place using the back of a spoon or the eraser end of a pencil. If the wire is irritating your lips or cheeks, use orthodontic wax or a wet cotton ball to cover it and relieve the discomfort. Let us know if you need help—we’re here to make sure you’re comfortable!
Questions on loose wires and bands? Contact us as soon as possible so we can check and repair your appliance.
Take Care Of Your Dental Appliances
Taking care of your dental appliances is key to a smooth treatment process! Damaged or broken appliances can slow down your progress and extend your treatment time. To keep things on track, make sure to wear your rubber bands, headgear, retainer, or any other devices exactly as your orthodontist prescribed. These appliances help move your teeth and jaw into the right position, but they only work if worn consistently.
Be sure to clean and handle your appliances carefully, and always store them safely when you’re not using them. If something feels off or breaks, contact our office right away. By taking good care of your appliances, you’ll help ensure the best results during life with braces and a beautiful smile!
Playing Sports With Braces
Game, Set, Match—Great news for athletes! You can still play sports while undergoing orthodontic treatment! To keep your teeth and braces safe, we recommend wearing a mouthguard. If you need help finding the right one for maximum protection, just let us know.
In case of an injury, immediately check your mouth and braces for any damage. If you notice loose teeth or broken appliances, contact our office as soon as possible. For temporary relief, you can apply orthodontic wax or rinse with warm saltwater to ease discomfort.
Have questions about sports mouthguards or other appliances? Dr. Mariana Orthodontics in Monroe, WA is here to help! Contact us to schedule your appointment today.
