LIFE WITH BRACES
What is expected of me during treatment?
 |
Proper cleaning of the teeth to remove food debris and plaque is important to prevent cavities, gum disease and permanent scarring of the enamel.
Keeping braces from breaking or wires from getting bent will speed treatment. Avoiding hard, sticky, and chewy foods, including ice, will go a long way in preventing broken braces. Pen and pencil chewing should also be avoided.
In general, you should expect to be an active partner in the development of your new smile. It is your smile, after all.
General Soreness
It's normal to have general tenderness for several days to a week, afte the braces are placed. Soreness to biting pressures will decrease after the initial few days. A warm salt water rinse may help relieve the tenderness. If the tenderness is severe, you may choose to take whatever pain medication you normally take for headaches, such as Ibuprofen or aspirin. 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. Wax can be applied to these areas to help the tissues recover. Dry off the bracket and apply the wax directly onto the bracket in the irritated area.
Eating with Braces
Most foods are fine to eat with braces. Some precautions should be taken, however, to avoid damaging your braces and prolonging treatment. Hard foods, such as apples and carrots, should be cut into smaller pieces prior to biting into them to prevent excess force on the bond between the bracket and the tooth. Certainly a soft foods diet is recommended for the first day or so after the braces are placed. Avoid tough meats, hard breads, and raw vegetables. 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 (cut these into small pieces prior to eating)
- Chewing on hard things (for example, pens, pencils, or fingernails) can damage the braces. Damaged braces will cause treatment to take longer.
Brushing
It's no secret that braces make it more difficult to keep your teeth clean, but it's more important than ever to brush and floss regularly so the teeth and gums are healthy after orthodontic treatment. We don't want you to end up with white scars on your teeth, that's why we provide every new patient that starts full braces with a FREE Sonicare toothbrush, Platypus flossers and we seal each tooth prior to placing brackets on the teeth. Together with regular check-ups and cleanings with your general dentist, using these instruments will provide you with the best possible results. 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.
Loosening of Teeth
Don't be alarmed if you notice an increased mobility to the teeth that are being moved during treatment. This is normal. There is a ligament space around each tooth and this space becomes larger and the ligament loosens as teeth move. Once treatment is complete, they will tighten back up in their new positions.
Loose Wire or Band
Even the most cautious patients may experience a loose wire or band. While not always an emergency, a protruding wire is irritating. A soft, blunt instrument, such as a pencil eraser, can be used to gently tuck the irritating wire back to a new position. Simply get it out of the way. Wax or wet cotton can be placed on the wire to reduce the annoyance. Call our office as soon as possible to inform us of anything loose, broken or irritating, even if you already have an appointment sheduled. We may need to see you sooner or modify your existing appointment to correct the problem or repair an appliance. If any piece comes off, save it and bring it with you to the office.
Athletics
A protective mouthguard is always advised for playing contact sports. This is expecially true with braces. Special mouthguards that fit around braces can be acquired at our office or from most sporting goods stores. These mouthguards allow the teeth to continue to move with the braces and still help protect the face. In case of any accident involving the face, check your mouth and the appliances immediately. If teeth are loosened or the appliances damaged, call us right away for an appointment. In the meantime, check out our "Orthodontic Emergencies and Other Problems" section for self-help information.