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Click here to view sixteen video segments about what to expect and how to care for orthodontic appliances. Some of the topics covered include:
- proper brushing
- caring for retainers and appliances
- flossing techniques
- minor emergencies
- relief of discomfort
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What can you eat? Let's talk about what you shouldn't eat!
If you've been wanting to drop a few pounds, the first week
wearing braces is just your chance! For the first day or so,
stick to soft foods. Avoid tough meats, hard breads and raw
vegetables. Before long, you'll be able to bite a cucumber
again. But, you'll need to protect your orthodontic appliances
when you eat for as long as you're wearing braces.
Foods to Avoid
- Chewy foods: bagels, hard rolls, licorice
- Crunchy
foods: popcorn, ice, chips
- Sticky foods: caramels,
gum
- Hard foods: nuts, candy
- Foods you have to bite
into: corn on the cob, apples, carrots
- Chewing on
hard things (for example, pens, pencils or fingernails) can
damage the braces. Damaged braces will cause treatment to
take longer.
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 saltwater 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 headaches 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. You can
put wax on the braces to lessen this. We'll show you how!
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.
Don't be alarmed if a wire or band comes loose. This happens
occasionally. If a 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.
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.
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.
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.
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General Soreness