Braces Care

Unfortunately, certain foods can damage your braces and slow down progress. And even more unfortunately, they are some good ones. But don’t worry —you’ll be savoring your favorite treats again before you know it.

As a rule of thumb, there are some foods you should stay away from:

• Chewy foods — bagels, licorice
• Crunchy foods — popcorn, chips, ice
• Sticky foods — caramel candies, chewing gum
• Hard foods — nuts, hard candies
• Foods you have to bite into — corn on the cob, apples, carrots

When you first get your braces, it’s normal for your teeth and mouth to feel tender. It might sound like a remedy your grandma would come up with, but it helps if you dissolve a teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of water, then swish and gargle for a few minutes. Then, if you’re still feeling the ouch, take a pain reliever.

And if your braces are irritating your lips, cheeks, and tongue, talk to us about a wax you can use to make things much more comfortable. It might sound a little weird, but it really works!

We know life happens, so the wires and bands on your braces may come loose for one reason or another (You wouldn’t believe the stories we’ve heard). Don’t worry! Just contact us as soon as you can, and we’ll get your braces good as new. And if any part of your braces falls off, bring it into the office with you.

You can gently push the loose wire into place as a temporary fix until your appointment. In the meantime, channel your inner DIYer and cushion the wire’s edge with wax or a wet cotton ball to avoid irritation.

Orthodontics doesn’t need to keep athletes on the sideline, but we recommend wearing a mouthguard to protect your teeth and braces. Talk to us, and we’ll show you the right mouth guard for your sport.

Check your braces for any damage if there’s ever contact to mouth while on the field, court, or ice. If something feels or looks off, hustle up and contact our office immediately. In the meantime, rinsing your mouth with warm salt water can help ease any discomfort.