Brushing and Flossing
It’s more important than ever to brush and floss regularly when you have braces so your teeth and gums stay healthy during orthodontic treatment. Because braces can make brushing and flossing more challenging, patients must adjust their habits to keep a healthy smile.
- Brush after every meal to remove food particles and prevent plaque buildup.
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and an orthodontic toothbrush to clean around your braces and gums.
- Floss daily using a floss threader or orthodontic floss to clean between the wires and teeth.
- Consider an antimicrobial mouthwash to help reduce plaque and keep your gums healthy.
Patients who do not maintain proper oral hygiene may need more frequent dental cleanings. Adults with a history of gum disease should visit a periodontist during orthodontic treatment.
Check out the videos below for proper brace care during treatment.
Eating with Braces
One of the most common questions we hear is, “What can I eat with braces?” Here’s what you need to know: stick to soft foods for the first few days after an adjustment. Avoid tough meats, hard breads, and raw vegetables. Soon enough, you’ll be able to eat foods like cucumbers again. However, be mindful of your braces while eating, and protect your orthodontic appliances throughout your treatment.
Foods to Avoid
Here are some foods that can damage your braces or make it harder to maintain proper oral hygiene:
- Chewy foods: sticky breads, caramel-filled candy bars, gummy bears
- Crunchy foods: pretzels, hard chips, ice cubes
- Sticky foods: fruit snacks, taffy, honeycomb
- Hard foods: granola bars, hard candies, popcorn kernels
- Foods that require biting into: thick-crust pizza, pears, raw celery
Additionally, chewing on hard objects such as pens, pencils, or fingernails can damage your braces. Damaged braces will extend treatment time and may require additional appointments.
General Soreness
After your braces are put on, you might feel soreness in your teeth, which is completely normal. Your teeth may feel tender when biting down for 3 to 5 days. Taking pain relievers such as Tylenol can help manage this discomfort.
Your lips, cheeks, and tongue may also become irritated for the first week or two. This is just your mouth adjusting to the new braces. Orthodontic wax can be used to ease discomfort, and we’ll provide this to you for use on any irritated areas.
Loose Wire or Band
Occasionally, a wire or band may become loose. If this happens, don’t panic. It is recommended to follow these steps to help alleviate the discomfort until your next appointment.
- Gently push the wire back in place using a blunt object (like a pencil eraser)
- Apply orthodontic wax or wet cotton to reduce discomfort
Contact our office for an appointment to check and repair the issue.
Loosening of Teeth
It’s normal for your teeth to feel a little loose during orthodontic treatment. Don’t worry, this is part of the process. Your teeth need to loosen first so they can shift into their correct positions. Once treatment is complete, your teeth will become firm in their new alignment.
Rubber Band Wear
To complete your orthodontic treatment successfully, it’s crucial that you follow the instructions provided by your orthodontist.
- Wear them consistently as prescribed by your orthodontist
- Change rubber bands regularly to ensure effective treatment
- If you forget to wear them, get back on track as soon as possible to avoid delays in treatment
Lack of cooperation or damage to appliances will lengthen treatment time, so please make sure to wear your rubber bands as directed.
Athletics
If you play sports, please let us know. A protective mouthguard is essential when playing contact sports to safeguard your braces and teeth. We can provide you with a mouthguard to help protect your orthodontic appliances during physical activities.
