New Braces
Taking Care Of New Braces
The first few days after starting your orthodontic treatment takes some adjustment. Most important is keeping everything brushed and clean. You may experience some soreness and it is best to eat soft foods. Your lips and gums will soon get used to the braces on your teeth. Covering any irritated areas with wax will greatly help the discomfort.
While you are in braces, there are certain foods you should avoid eating in order to prevent breaking them. A good rule to follow is to avoid eating anything that is hard, sticky or chewy.
- Hard: Nuts, Jerky, Tortilla Chips, Ice, Hard Candies, Popcorn (Kernels)
- Sticky/Chewy: Suckers, Jolly Ranchers, Caramel, Laffy Taffy, Starbursts, Milk Duds
Remember that each time you break a bracket, it can extend your treatment time. If you want to get your braces off within your allotted treatment time, make sure to avoid these foods as much as possible and sure to keep your teeth clean! Brushing, flossing and keeping any food out of your braces after meals will help keep you on track with your oral health.
You can continue to eat raw fruits and vegetables like apples and carrots. Just make sure you cut them into thin slices so they don’t put too much pressure on your braces. It may also be helpful to cut up things like sandwiches, pizza and hamburgers. Chewing gum can help alleviate soreness while in braces. Just make sure you are choosing a sugar free gum like Extra, Trident or Orbit.
If you do happen to have something break, be sure to call our office and schedule an appointment to get it repaired as soon as possible in order to avoid treatment delays.
