Life with braces

Once you have your braces, you need to be careful about what you eat. Chewy, crunchy, and sticky foods need to be avoided. You should also avoid hard foods. It is also important to avoid foods that you need to bite into like corn on the cob, apples, and other fruits and vegetables. If you are struggling with the restrictions, just remember there are plenty of things you can eat. You can eat dairy and meats, as long as they are soft. Many people with braces continue to eat seafood. You can eat breads and grains. Most fruits and vegetables are allowed, as long as they are soft. There are also many treats you can have. For example, you can still have ice cream, milkshakes, and cake. Just remember that treatment won’t be long, and it will be worth it to have a smile and teeth of which you are proud!

When you first get braces, it is normal to feel sore and tender while your mouth adjusts to them. Just remember that this is temporary. You will not feel like this forever, but if it is really bothering you, you can dissolve one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of lukewarm water and gargle this for several minutes. This should help. If it does not, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever. It is common for your lips, cheeks, and tongue to experience irritation as your mouth gets used to the braces. They need to toughen a little bit. We do have some wax that you can put on your braces to help the tenderness. People who wear braces often struggle with loose teeth. They worry that they may lose their teeth, but this looseness is completely normal. To get your mouth in the right position, your braces have to loosen your teeth so that they will move. Once they are in the right position, they will no longer be loose.

The wires or bands may become loose sometimes. It is very important to call us right away when this happens so that we are able to repair your braces immediately. If a piece of wire comes off, it is important to save it and bring it with you to your appointment. If you are unable to come in right away, you can try to fix it temporarily by using a spoon. You can try to push the wire back into place. If the wire is pushing against your lips or cheeks and causing irritation, you can try to place wax or a cotton ball over the end. It is important for you to take proper care of your braces so that they can do their job. It is also important that you wear them as prescribed; otherwise it may take even longer for you to get the smile for which you have been waiting.

Many people worry about playing sports while wearing braces. You are allowed to continue to play, though we recommend wearing a mouthguard to protect your mouth and braces. If you suffer from a sports emergency, don’t hesitate to contact us right away. You should check your mouth and braces to make sure that nothing is broken. You may want to rinse your mouth out with salt water to help with any discomfort you may have. If you have any questions about braces, don’t hesitate to contact us today.