Life with Braces

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

Food for Orthodontic Thought
“NO-NO-LIST”

"A careful orthodontic patient can probably eat any food and do no damage to the braces; However, these three types of foods may cause trouble." -Dr. Nuckles

Hard Foods
Sticky and Chewy Foods
Foods high in sugar content

HARD, STICKY, AND CHEWY FOODS... May do damage by bending the arch wires, loosening the cement under the bands, or breaking the little brackets and tubes that may be attached to the tooth or bands. Some of the foods of this type are listed below along with the way they may be eaten if possible.

CARROTS AND CELERY STICKS - Grated, cooked, or cut very thin.
FRUITS - Peeled and cut into wedges.
FRENCH BREAD AND HARD ROLLS - Cut into small pieces.
PIZZA AND BAGELS - Be careful on tough crust.
CORN ON THE COB - Cut kernels off the cob.
CHICKEN AND RIBS - Please cut meat off bones.
POPCORN - Avoid hard kernels, husks can get caught between gums and teeth causing infections and swelling.
HARD TACO SHELLS - Try soft tacos.
CHEWING ICE CUBES - A thousand times NO! they destroy your braces.
HARD CHIPS - Yikes! Please do not eat.
CHEWING PENCILS/PENS - No! No! Your parents feed you.
CORNUTS AND NUTS - Do not eat these...we're watching.
ANYTHING "GUMMY" - Trust us

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, milkshakes, Jell-O, 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 discomfort we recommend aspirin, ibuprofen, (Advil or Motrin), or Aleve .

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 will give you some wax that you can put over the braces to lessen the tenderness. If you need more 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.

Click here to read more about the proper care of your appliances

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.

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.

Printable instructions >

Brushing Instructions

Brushing: Step 1

Place your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle to your gum.
Brushing: Step 2

Brush gently in a circular motion.
Brushing: Step 3

Brush the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces of each tooth.
Brushing: Step 4

Use the tip of your brush for the inner surface of your front teeth.

Flossing Instructions

Flossing: Step 1

Wind about 18 inches of floss around your fingers as shown. Most of it should be wrapped around one finger, and as the floss is used, the other finger takes it up.
Flossing: Step 2

Use your thumbs and forefingers to guide about one inch of floss between your teeth.
Flossing: Step 3

Holding the floss tightly, gently saw the floss between your teeth. Then curve the floss into a C-shape against one tooth and gently slide it beneath your gums.
Flossing: Step 4

Slide the floss up and down, repeating for each tooth.