Life with Braces

Congratulations on starting your journey toward a healthier, straighter smile! Now that you've got your braces, it's important to understand how to take care of them throughout your orthodontic treatment. With a little extra attention, you'll be on your way to a beautiful smile in no time. Here's everything you need to know about life with braces.

Eating with Braces: What You Can and Can't Have

While it might feel like you're giving up your favorite foods, rest assured that this is only temporary. In no time, you'll be able to enjoy all those treats again! However, in the meantime, it's important to avoid certain foods that could damage your braces or slow down your progress.

Foods to Avoid with Braces:

Chewy foods: These can cause your brackets and wires to become damaged. Avoid bagels, licorice, taffy, gummy candies, and fruit snacks.
Crunchy foods: Hard, crunchy foods can break or dislodge your brackets and wires. Stay away from popcorn, chips, ice, hard pretzels, and crackers.
Sticky foods: Sticky foods can get stuck in your braces, making them difficult to clean and potentially leading to cavities. Avoid caramel, chewing gum, jelly beans, and toffee.
Hard foods: Hard foods can damage your braces by breaking wires or brackets. It's best to skip nuts, hard candies, popcorn kernels, and raw vegetables like celery.
Foods that require biting into: Biting into hard foods can put unnecessary pressure on your braces, causing them to shift or break. Avoid biting into corn on the cob, apples, carrots, and large sandwiches. Instead, cut these foods into smaller pieces to make them easier to eat.

Taking care to avoid these foods will help protect your braces and ensure your orthodontic treatment moves forward smoothly.

Foods You CAN Eat with Braces:

You’ll be happy to know there are still plenty of delicious foods you can enjoy while wearing braces! Opting for soft, easy-to-chew foods will help protect your braces and allow your teeth to shift into place without interference.

Dairy: Soft cheeses (like cream cheese and ricotta), pudding, milkshakes, and yogurt are all great choices. They’re easy on your braces and provide calcium for strong teeth.
Bread: Soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins (without nuts), and white bread are good options. Avoid crusty breads or those with hard crusts that could damage your braces.
Grains: Soft pasta, cooked rice, and noodles are gentle on your braces while providing you with plenty of energy. Just make sure to cook them until soft.
Meats/Poultry: Soft-cooked chicken, meatballs, tender deli meats, and fish (like tuna and salmon) are easy to chew and will help you maintain a balanced diet.
Seafood: Soft options like tuna, salmon, and crab cakes are perfect for braces-wearers as they are tender and won’t cause any discomfort.
Vegetables: Mashed potatoes, steamed spinach, beans, and other soft-cooked vegetables are great options. Avoid raw or crunchy veggies like carrots or celery unless cut into small pieces.
Fruits: Applesauce, bananas, and soft fruits like melons and berries are excellent choices. You can also enjoy fruit juices (but avoid sticky, dried fruits).
Fruits: Ice cream (without nuts), Jell-O, pudding, soft cake, and milkshakes are all safe and delicious treats. Avoid hard, crunchy, or sticky candies.

Dealing with Soreness

It's common to feel some tenderness or soreness after getting your braces, especially in the first few days. Your teeth and gums are adjusting to the pressure applied by the braces, which can cause some discomfort. But don't worry—this is completely normal, and the pain won't last forever!

To ease the discomfort:

Saltwater rinse: Dissolve one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of lukewarm water. Swish this solution around in your mouth for a couple of minutes (don't swallow it). It helps reduce swelling and soothe soreness.
Pain relievers: If soreness persists, over-the-counter pain relievers can help. Always follow the dosage instructions on the label.
Wax for irritation: It's also common for the inside of your cheeks and lips to become irritated as they adjust to the braces. We provide orthodontic wax that can be placed over any part of the braces that's causing irritation. If you need wax, just ask us!

Remember, this discomfort is only temporary and will fade as your mouth adjusts to the braces.

Loose Teeth: A Sign of Progress

You may notice that your teeth feel a bit loose at times—this is perfectly normal! The braces are gently loosening your teeth to allow them to shift into their new, correct positions. Once your teeth have moved into their final spots, they'll feel secure again. So, if your teeth feel a little wobbly, don't panic—it's just a part of the process.

Loose Wires and Bands: What to Do

It's not uncommon for the wires or bands in your braces to come loose. If this happens, don't worry. Contact us as soon as possible so we can check and repair your appliance.

In the meantime, you can manage loose wires by:

Using the back of a spoon or the eraser end of a pencil to gently push the wire back into place.
If the wire is causing irritation to your lips or cheeks, apply orthodontic wax or a wet cotton ball to the affected area for comfort.

If any part of your braces breaks or comes off, save it and bring it to your next appointment. This helps us assess any damage and prevent delays in your treatment.

Caring for Your Appliances

Proper care of your braces and any other appliances (such as rubber bands, headgear, or retainers) is essential for ensuring your treatment progresses smoothly. Damaged appliances can prolong your treatment time, so make sure to wear your appliances as directed and avoid activities that may cause damage. Consistency is key to achieving the best results in the shortest time.

Playing Sports with Braces

Great news for athletes—having braces doesn't mean you have to give up sports! However, it is highly recommended that you wear a mouthguard to protect both your teeth and braces during physical activity. A mouthguard will help cushion any impact and prevent damage to your braces, ensuring your treatment remains on track.

If you experience a sports-related emergency, such as a blow to the mouth, immediately check your braces and teeth for any damage. If you notice loose teeth or broken braces, contact us as soon as possible for a follow-up. In the meantime, you can alleviate discomfort by rinsing with warm saltwater or using wax to cover any sharp areas.

The Bottom Line: Commitment to Your Smile

Life with braces may take a little adjustment, but with the right care, you'll be well on your way to achieving a beautiful, confident smile. By following these tips and keeping regular appointments with us at Village Orthodontics, you'll ensure your treatment goes smoothly and efficiently.

Remember, if you ever have questions or concerns, don't hesitate to contact our office. We're here to support you every step of the way!