You’ve just begun your new life with braces, and you may be going through a slight adjustment period as you get used to your orthodontic treatment. Don’t panic – it won’t be long before you hardly even notice your braces. Once you see your beautiful new smile, the challenges you may have faced during your time with braces will seem like a distant memory.
In the meantime, we’ve created a list of braces tips and tricks for our patients once they get braces. That way, you’ll have a better idea about what to expect, how to live with braces, and how to make the most out of it.
1. What to Eat with Braces
Who doesn’t love food? It’s no wonder many of our patients are nervous to give up some of the snacks they enjoy while wearing braces. Don’t worry though, most foods are OK to eat with braces, and those that aren’t, we promise will be worth living without for a short time, so you can reveal a perfect smile after your brackets and wires come off.
When you first get your braces on, we strongly encourage you to avoid the following foods.
Foods to Avoid with Braces:
Foods to avoid when you have braces include:
- Chewy foods like bagels that are untoasted or candies such as gummies/licorice
- Foods that may get lodged in your braces like popcorn
- Sticky foods such as toffee and caramel
- Hard and crunchy foods like ice, crusty bread, uncooked carrots, and nuts
- Foods such as apples, corn on the cob, etc. that require you to bite into them
Food You Can Eat with Braces
Foods you can easily eat after you get your braces on:
- All kinds of delicious dairy because it is soft
- Pastries, breads (without nuts or hard grains/seeds), crepes, pancakes, etc.
- Fruits and vegetables – just watch out for the rules above
- Sweets & treats such as cake and ice cream (use your discretion with toppings)
- Meat (dependent on chewiness) and any wide array of seafood
You can learn more by reading our Foods that are Safe for Braces blog.
2. How to Reduce Pain with Braces
Your new life with braces may not be off to the dreamy start you hoped for because you may be experiencing some gum and tooth sensitivity. However, this is totally normal and it’s certainly not permanent. After just a few days, you’ll notice the pain subsides and your braces will begin to feel barely there.
Before that time comes, we suggest sticking to soft foods and gargling with warm salt water as a way to relieve your sensitivity. Do this for a couple of minutes and you should find that your mouth feels less tender. If you’re still experiencing pain after gargling, you may consider taking pain medication as long as it is advisable/approved by your doctor. For more tips, read our blog, Helpful Hints for Dealing with Braces Pain.
3. Dealing with Loose Teeth
From the moment your braces go on, they’re going to begin working hard to move your teeth into the right positions to achieve your best-possible smile. If your teeth start to feel loose or ache, just know this will subside and it’s perfectly normal.
4. What to Do if a Bracket Comes Loose
Loose brackets, wires, or bands are a sign you need to visit your orthodontist. For your braces to do their job, they need to stay in good shape. If you start to notice that your wires or bands are coming loose, sticking out of place, or anything that seems out of the ordinary, please don’t hesitate to contact Wonder West Orthodontics and we will evaluate if any action needs to be taken to adjust your new braces. Find out why brackets fall off by reading our blog, Reasons Why Brackets Fall Off & What to Do.
5. Playing Sports with Braces
Wonder West Orthodontics has been putting braces on athletes for years, so you don’t have to be concerned about taking part in your favourite sports. Once you have your braces on and feel ready, you can play whichever sports you did before your new life with braces. However, we do recommend you consider using a mouthguard because braces are a big investment and it’s never a bad idea to take extra caution to protect them. Read our blog about protecting your braces during team sports to learn more.
6. Brushing Your Teeth with Braces
Since braces tend to trap food, it is important that you remember to brush your teeth after every meal. There are certain types of toothbrushes and cleaning tools that can help ensure you keep your dental hygiene in check, check out our Best Toothbrushes for People with Braces and How to Keep Your Teeth Clean with Braces blogs to learn more.
7. Flossing with Braces
Although flossing with braces can be tricky, it’s important that you keep up with it to ensure you avoid cavities and tooth decay. While wearing braces we recommend using waxed floss or Waterpiks. Read our Flossing Tips for Braces blog for more information.
Your Braces Need TLC, So They Can Take Care of Your Teeth
Above all else, the most important aspect of your new life with braces will be that you take caution to care for them as prescribed. From proper teeth brushing to avoiding excessively risky foods and activities, Wonder West Orthodontics can provide you with a list of tips and tricks for adjusting to your new life with braces, so you can enjoy it almost as much as you will the results.
