Life With Braces

Your braces will be attached quickly and easily to your teeth. You may find it easier to eat soft foods for the first few days while you are becoming accustomed to eating with your new braces.

The braces may feel a little awkward at first and the teeth may be tender or sensitive to pressure. This is completely normal and will go away soon. It may feel as though the braces are “sticking out,” but this sensation will also soon pass. Small pieces of orthodontic wax may be used if the braces irritate the cheek. Some patients choose to take over the counter pain relievers the first day of treatment to lessen the discomfort.

Eating Right

To achieve orthodontic treatment goals with as few disruptions as possible, a braces-friendly diet is important to prevent emergencies and extended treatment time. Patients should avoid foods that are sticky, hard or chewy. Eating the wrong foods may cause problems which will result in extra visits for repairs and will extend the length of treatment. Patients should brush, floss and rinse their mouth regularly between meals.

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 feel loose.

Loose Wires and Bands

The wires, bands, and bracketsat times will come loose. If this happens, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can check and repair your appliance.

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 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.

Playing Sports with Braces

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.