Now that you have your braces, how do you take care of them? It is important for you to know how to properly take care of your braces throughout your entire orthodontic treatment.

Eating with Braces

You will need to take special care to avoid any foods that could damage your new appliances, knock off a bracket or bend an arch wire. Sugary foods are a problem too because it is harder to keep your teeth clean with braces.  Avoid keeping sugary foods in your mouth for a long time such as sucking on candy or slowly sipping on soda or juice. See suggestions below of foods to avoid as well as softer foods you can eat if your teeth feel tender or sore.

Foods to AVOID with braces:

• Chewy foods – gummy candies, dried fruit
• Crunchy foods - popcorn, hard chips, ice
• Sticky foods - caramel candies, chewing gum
• Hard foods - nuts, hard candies, pizza crust
• Foods that require biting into - corn on the cob, apples, carrots need to be cut into small bites or cooked
• Cut back on sugary foods – sodas, fruit juice, candy, desserts

Foods you CAN eat if your teeth feel sore:

• Dairy - soft cheese, pudding, yogurt, milk-based drinks
• Breads - soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins w/o nuts
• Grains - pasta, soft cooked rice
• Meats/poultry - soft cooked chicken, ground beef, lunch meats, fish
• Seafood - tuna, salmon, crab cakes
• Vegetables – mashed or baked potatoes, beans, cooked vegetables
• Fruits - applesauce, bananas, grapes, smoothies
• 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 and will not last long! To relieve the tenderness, we recommend dissolving half a teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of lukewarm water. Swish this solution in your mouth for just a couple of minutes (do not swallow the saltwater).  If the discomfort does not go away after rinsing, you can also try taking an over-the-counter pain reliever such as Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen.

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. Use some wax over any brace causing irritation to lessen the tenderness. Please let us know if you need extra wax!

Problems with your braces or appliance

If you notice a problem, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can check and make a repair if needed.  Allowing your appliance or braces to remain damaged for an extended period of time may result in disruptions in your treatment plan.  If any piece comes off, be sure to save it and bring it to the office with you.

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.

Regular dental checkups

 It is important to continue your regular dental check ups and cleanings every six months.  There are many nooks and crannies for food to hide in, making it hard to keep your teeth and braces clean.  Trapped food can cause cavities.  Plaque and tartar can cause irritation to the gums making them tender, puffy, red and bleed easiliy.  If left on the teeth it can cause decalcification, a white scar, on your teeth.  Having health teeth and gums could speed up your treatment, make your adjustments more comfortable, and be a basic step to having a beautiful, healthy smile.

  Oral hygiene and braces

In order to keep your teeth and gums healthy throughout your treatment it is very important to brush after every meal, no matter where you are. It is also recommended to floss and use a fluoride rinse once a day. A water jet, electric toothbrush, and proxy brush are useful tools and can be found at any store or pharmacy that carry oral health products. If you need help, choosing a product, please ask us. We would be more than happy to help you choose the right products for your teeth and your appliance. 

Patient cooperation

Patient cooperation plays a very important role in treatment.  Good hygiene, regular office visits and avoiding breakages help to keep treatment on track.  Also, your teeth and jaw can only move into their correct positions if you consistently wear the rubber bands, headgear, retainer, or other appliances as prescribed by Dr. Lupi.

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 Dr. Lupi 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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