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Life with Braces in Surrey BC |
Now that you have your braces, how do you take care of them? It's
important for you to know how to properly take care of your braces
throughout your entire orthodontic treatment.
Eating with Braces
Don't worry; you'll be eating popcorn and snacking on potato chips
again in no time! However, before you can start enjoying some of the
treats you love, you will need to take special care to avoid any
foods that could damage your new appliances.
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
- Breads - 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, you may notice that your teeth and
mouth feel a little tender or sore. This is perfectly normal for
patients who have just gotten 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 (do not swallow the saltwater).
If the pain is more severe and does not go away after rinsing, you
can also try taking a pain reliever. It is also not uncommon for
your lips, cheeks, and tongue to become irritated for one to two
weeks as they toughen and become used to the braces. We would be
happy to give you some wax that you can put over the braces to
lessen the tenderness. If you need some wax, please let us know!
Loose Teeth
If your teeth begin feeling a little loose, don't worry; this is
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,
please contact us as soon as possible so that we can check and
repair your appliance. If any piece of your appliance comes off, be
sure to save it and bring it to the office with you.
You can temporarily fix the loose wire by using the back of a spoon
or the eraser end of a pencil to carefully and 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, 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, and dental floss, please ask us and we can help you
choose the right products for your teeth and your appliance.
Playing Sports with Braces
Game, Set, Match - we have great news for athletes! You can still
play sports even while undergoing orthodontic treatment! If you do
play sports, it's recommended that you wear a mouthguard in order 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. |
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