LIFE WITH BRACES
Brushing
Proper brushing is the most important aspects of orthodontic treatment. When you eat, food particles will get stuck in your braces and allow bacteria to form.
Bacteria, combined with the sugars and saliva in your mouth allows for more rapid tooth decay. It also wears down the enamel on your teeth. Colorado Orthodontics knows that this is a common problem, and that the best way to prevent it is to brush and floss with due diligence.
Soreness from Braces
When you first get started with braces, you’ll probably notice some soreness or tenderness in your teeth and mouth. This is perfectly normal and nothing to be worried about, and it should pass within a week.
If you do experience discomfort, try washing your mouth with lukewarm salt water for a couple of minutes. Swish and gargle it, but don’t swallow it; it’ll help to soothe irritated spots in your mouth.
If the rinse doesn’t help, you can also use an over-the-counter pain reliever like Tylenol. You may find that your lips, cheeks, or tongue get irritated for the first week or two of having braces, but this will subside as your mouth gets used to them. We’re also happy to provide dental wax you can use to cover up irritating spots on your braces.
Loose Wires and Bands
We know you’ve invested a lot of time and effort into your orthodontic treatment, so it can be frustrating when something doesn’t go as planned. If any of your appliances become loose, broken, or damaged, please contact one of our office locations as soon as possible so we can determine if an appointment is needed. Even if you already have an upcoming appointment scheduled, we still ask that you call our office to let us know you may need a repair.
If your bracket or wire becomes loose, please contact our office right away so we can advise you on the best next steps. In some cases, damage to a bracket or a loose wire can delay your orthodontic treatment if it is not addressed promptly, so a repair may be needed as soon as possible.
If the loose bracket or wire is causing significant discomfort, you may carefully use fingernail clippers that have been cleaned and sterilized with alcohol to trim the wire. Please be sure to call our office the next business day to schedule an appointment so we can make sure everything is properly repaired.
Loose Teeth
If you notice your teeth start to feel loose during treatment, don’t worry. It’s a normal part of treatment, and it just means that your braces are working. Your teeth will change positions over the coming months, and once they set into their new positions in your new smile, they’ll stop feeling loose.
Caring for Your Appliances
To ensure the success of your treatment and to minimize the length of care, it’s important for you to take care of all your orthodontic appliances. Whether you’ve been prescribed headgear, rubber bands, or a retainer, you’ll have to wear them for the amount of time specified each day. It’s the only way to ensure your treatment is effective and you achieve the smile of your dreams.
Food & Braces
While you’re wearing braces, you’ll have to avoid certain foods that can damage them. These include foods that are particularly hard, crunchy, chewy, sticky, or filled with sugar. Here are some sample foods you’ll need to avoid while wearing braces.
Foods to avoid with braces
- Chewy foods — bagels, licorice
- Crunchy foods — popcorn, chips, ice
- Sticky foods — caramel candies, chewing gum
- Hard foods — nuts, hard candies
- Foods that require biting into — corn on the cob, apples, carrots
Foods you CAN eat with braces
- Dairy — soft cheese, pudding, milk-based drinks
- Breads — soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins without nuts
- Grains — pasta, soft cooked rice
- Meats/poultry — soft cooked chicken, meatballs, lunch meats
- Seafood — tuna, salmon, crab cakes
- Vegetables — mashed potatoes, steamed spinach, beans
- Fruits — applesauce, bananas, fruit juice
- Treats — ice cream without nuts, milkshakes, Jell-O, soft cake
Sports and Braces
If you’re an athlete who’s nervous about treatment, we’ve got great news: you can still practice and play sports while wearing braces! The only thing you’ll need is your own custom-made mouthguard, which will make you 60 times less likely to suffer an injury to your teeth or orthodontic appliance. Let us know if you need a mouthguard and we’ll make one to fit your smile and appliances.
If you suffer a bad fall or other sports injury, it’s critical to check your mouth and appliance for damage immediately. If you see any damage or notice anything has come loose, call us right away. You can use wax or a salt-water rinse to relieve discomfort, but we’ll need to get you in for an appointment as soon as possible to make repairs.