Braces 101
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Your Braces
Now that you have started orthodontic treatment, here are a few hints to help you have a great smile with a minimum of discomfort.
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General Soreness
After orthodontic adjustments, there may be some soreness in the mouth. Tylenol or Advil may be taken every 4 to 6 hours if tenderness is severe. Soreness should end by the 3rd or 4th day.
Types of Food to Avoid
Under no circumstances should hard or sticky foods be eaten as they can cause breakage, bending, or loosening of the braces. This will cause a delay in treatment. Braces that become loose should be reported to our office as soon as possible so they can be repaired.
- DO NOT eat the following: hard candy, gum, nuts, popcorn, ice, crusty breads, toasted bagels, sticky foods like caramel, taffy, raisins or gummy bears.
- Meat should be cut off of the bones. DO NOT nibble or chew meat off bones.
- Corn should be cut off of the cob.
- Apples, carrots and raw celery should be cut up into small pieces. DO NOT bite into hard foods with your front teeth.
Irritating Wire
If a wire protrudes and is irritating, take a blunt instrument (like and eraser end of a pencil) and carefully tuck the irritating wire under the archwire to get it out of the way. If irritation to the lips or mouth continues, place wax on the wire to reduce the annoyance.
Toothbrushing
Braces make your teeth very hard to clean. You must spend extra time brushing your teeth after each meal to remove food and plaque. If the plaque is not removed from around your braces, the plaque will cause white and brown scarring of your teeth and decay.
- Brush your teeth in a back and forth motion, then away from your gums to remove all food above, below and in between the braces.
- Then aim the bristles of the brush at the area where the teeth and gums meet. Brush with a vibrating circular motion.
- MOST IMPORTANT- Look at your gums, teeth and braces to make sure they are clean. If not, brush those areas again!
- REMEMBER- Gums that bleed need more brushing!
Daily rinses with a fluoride rinse such as ACT or Fluoriguard can be very beneficial. The optimal time to rinse with these products is at night just prior to bedtime.
Emergency Appointments
As a general rule, an emergency appointment may be made when there is pain, a loose or broken brace or a wire sticking out of your braces. If you have any questions, please feel free to call our office. We would like to help you in any way to achieve your GREAT SMILE!