Braces + FREE Whitening: $3,500 TOTAL only $123/month! Book a Free Consult Today!

Living With Braces

You’ve got braces. Now what?

You did it! You got braces. Now that you’ve gone to an Oceanside orthodontist and have had them put on, you have to take care of them. Below is a list of important things to remember to properly take care of your braces throughout your treatment.

Eating With Braces

While you have your braces or appliances on, you have to take special care to avoid any foods that could damage your new appliances. And trust us, the foods below can wreak havoc on your progress toward your true smile.

Foods to Avoid With Braces:

  • Chewy foods – bagels, licorice
  • Crunchy foods – popcorn, chips, ice
  • Sticky foods – caramel candies, chewing gum
  • Hard foods – nuts, hard candies
  • Foods that require biting into – corn on the cob, apples, carrots

Foods You Can Eat With Braces:

  • Dairy -soft cheese, pudding, milk-based drinks
  • Bread – soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins w/o nuts
  • Grains – pasta, soft cooked rice
  • Meats/poultry – soft cooked chicken, meatballs, lunch meats
  • Seafood – tuna, salmon, crab cakes
  • Vegetables – mashed potatoes, steamed spinach, beans
  • Fruits – applesauce, bananas, fruit juice
  • Treats – ice cream w/o nuts, milkshakes, Jell-O, soft cake

Soreness Caused From Braces And Appliances

When you first get your braces at our Oceanside orthodontist office, you may notice that your teeth and mouth feel a little tender or sore. This is perfectly normal for patients who have just had their braces put on, and we promise your mouth will not be sore forever! To relieve the pain, we recommend dissolving one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of lukewarm water. Swish and gargle this solution in your mouth for just a couple of minutes. Remember, not to swallow any of it.

If the pain is more severe and does not go away after rinsing, try taking a pain reliever. It is also not uncommon for your lips, cheeks, and tongue to become irritated for one or two weeks as they become used to your new braces. We’re happy to give you wax so that if any discomfort occurs you can put a pinch of wax over the spot that’s bothering you to lessen the tenderness. If you think you need wax, let us know!

Loose Teeth

If your teeth begin feeling a little loose, this is totally normal! Your braces must first loosen your teeth in order to move them into the right position. Once your teeth have been repositioned, they will no longer be loose.

Loose Wires And Bands

The wires and bands on your braces may come loose. If this happens, contact us as soon as possible so that we can check and repair your appliance. If any piece of your appliance comes off, it’s important to save it and bring it to the office with you.

You can temporarily fix a loose wire by using the back of a spoon or the tip of a pencil eraser to carefully, and ever-so-gently, push the wire back into place. If the loose wire is causing irritation to your lips or cheeks, put wax or a wet cotton ball over the broken wire to relieve the pain.

Take Care Of Your Appliances

Damaged appliances can increase the length of your treatment process, so be sure to take care of all your appliances. Your teeth and jaw can only move into their correct positions if you consistently wear the rubber bands, headgear, retainer, clear aligners, or other appliances prescribed by your doctor.

Brushing Your Teeth With Braces

When you have braces it’s very important to brush and floss after every meal in order to keep your teeth and gums healthy throughout your treatment. If you need help choosing the right toothbrush, toothpaste, or dental floss, ask us and we’ll help you choose the right products for your teeth and appliances.

Playing Sports With Braces

You can still play sports even while undergoing orthodontic treatment. If you do play sports, it’s recommended that you wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth and your appliance. Let your doctor know if you need help finding the right mouthguard for the best protection.

In case of a sports emergency, be sure to immediately check your mouth and your appliance for any damage that may have occurred. If you notice any loose teeth, or if your appliance has been damaged, please contact our office right away. You can temporarily relieve the discomfort with wax or by rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater.

Mouthguards

Sports-related injuries to the mouth and jaw are some of the most common injuries received by athletes. Protecting your smile while playing sports is essential when you have braces. Mouthguards help protect your teeth and gums from injury. If you participate in high-contact sports the American Association of Orthodontists recommends you wear a mouthguard. Be sure to ask Dr. Allen about mouthguards at your next appointment.

Emergency Care

True orthodontic emergencies are very rare, but when they do occur we’re here. As a general rule, you should call the office to schedule an appointment when you experience severe pain or when you have a painful appliance problem that you can’t take care of yourself.

You might be surprised to learn that you may be able to temporarily solve many problems yourself until you schedule an appointment with our office. When working with your appliances, you need to know the names of the parts of your appliances so that you are able to identify what part is broken or out of place when you call us.

After alleviating your discomfort, it is very important that you still call our office as soon as possible to schedule a time to repair the problem. Allowing your appliance to remain damaged for an extended period of time may result in disruptions in your treatment plan. And no one wants that.

What are you waiting for?

Who You Are is Amazing. Your Smile Should Be Too.

Ready to start your smile transformation? Look no further than Allen Orthodontics, where we specialize in creating beautiful smiles that will leave you feeling confident and happy. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing exceptional orthodontic care tailored to your unique needs. Visit us today, and let us help you achieve the smile of your dreams!

Rated: (176 Reviews)
Scroll to Top