|
|
 What can you eat? Let's talk about what you shouldn't
eat! If you've been wanting to drop a few pounds, the
first week wearing braces is just your chance! For the
first day or so, stick to soft foods. Avoid tough meats,
hard breads, and raw vegetables. Before long, you'll
be able to bite a cucumber again. But you'll need to
protect your orthodontic appliances when you eat for
as long as you're wearing braces.
Foods to Avoid
- Chewy foods: bagels, hard rolls, licorice
- Crunchy foods: popcorn, ice, chips
- Sticky foods: caramels, gum
- Hard foods: nuts, candy
- Foods you have to bite into: corn on the cob, apples,
carrots
- Chewing on hard things (for example, pens, pencils
or fingernails) can damage the braces.
Damaged braces will cause treatment to take longer.
General Soreness
When you get your braces on, you may feel general soreness in your mouth and teeth may
be tender to biting pressures for three to five days. This can be relieved by rinsing your
mouth with a warm salt water mouthwash. Dissolve one teaspoonful of salt in 8 ounces
of warm water, and rinse your mouth vigorously. If the tenderness is severe, take aspirin
or whatever you normally take for headache or similar pain. The lips, cheeks and tongue
may also become irritated for one to two weeks as they toughen and become accustomed
to the surface of the braces. You can put wax on the braces to lessen this. We'll show
you how!
Loosening of Teeth
This is to be expected throughout treatment. Don't worry! It's normal. Teeth must loosen
first so they can be moved. The teeth will again become rigidly fixed in their
new – corrected – positions.
Loose Wire or Band
Don't be alarmed if a wire or band comes loose. This happens occasionally. If wire protrudes
and is irritating, use a blunt instrument (back of spoon or the eraser end of a pencil) and
carefully, gently push the irritating wire under the archwire. Simply get it out of the way.
If irritation to the lips or mouth continues, place wax or wet cotton on the wire to reduce
the annoyance. Call our office as soon as possible for an appointment to check and repair
the appliances. If any piece comes off, save it and bring it with you to the office.
Care of Appliances
To successfully complete the treatment plan, the patient must work together with the
orthodontist. The teeth and jaws can only move toward their corrected positions if the
patient consistently wears the rubber bands, headgear or other appliances as prescribed.
Damaged appliances lengthen the treatment time.
Brushing
It's more important than ever to brush and floss regularly when you have braces, so the
teeth and gums are healthy after orthodontic treatment. Patients who do not keep their
teeth clean may require more frequent visits to the dentist for a professional cleaning.
Adults who have a history of gum disease should also see a periodontist during orthodontic
treatment.
Athletics
If you play sports, it's important that you consult us for special precautions. A protective
mouthguard is advised for playing contact sports. In case of any accident involving the
face, check your mouth and the appliances immediately. If teeth are loosened or the
appliances damaged, phone at once for an appointment. In the meantime, treat your
discomfort as you would treat any general soreness.
Back to Top
|
 |
|
