LIFE WITH BRACES
Now that your braces are on, how do you take care of them? It’s important for you to know how to properly take care of your teeth and braces throughout the entire orthodontic treatment – it will give you the best, most timely results!
EATING WITH BRACES
Don’t worry, you’ll be popping popcorn at the movies and snacking on almonds again in no time! However, before you can get back to enjoying some of the treats you love, you will need to take special care to avoid any foods that could damage your new appliances.
FOODS TO AVOID WITH BRACES:
- Chewy foods — bagels, licorice
- Crunchy foods — popcorn, chips, ice
- Sticky foods — caramel candies, taffy
- 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
SORENESS CAUSED FROM BRACES AND APPLIANCES
When you first get your braces, you may notice that your teeth and mouth feel a little tender or sore – sort of like they ran a 5-minute mile without stretching first then tripped and skinned a knee. This is perfectly normal and we promise your mouth will not be sore forever! To relieve the pain, we recommend dissolving one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of lukewarm water. Swish and gargle this solution in your mouth for just a couple of minutes (do not swallow the saltwater).
If the pain is more severe and does not go away after rinsing, you can also try taking a pain reliever. It is also not uncommon for your lips, cheeks, and tongue to become irritated for one to two weeks as they toughen and become used to the braces. We would be happy to give you some wax that you can put over the braces to lessen the tenderness. If you need some wax, please let us know.
LOOSE TEETH
If your teeth begin feeling a little loose, don’t worry; this is normal! Your braces must first loosen your teeth to move them into the right position. Once your teeth have been repositioned, they will no longer be loose.
LOOSE WIRES AND BANDS
The wires and bands on your braces may come loose. If this happens, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can check and repair your appliance. If any piece of your appliance comes off, be sure to save it and bring it to the office with you.
You can temporarily fix the loose wire by using the back of a spoon or the eraser end of a pencil to carefully and gently push the wire back into place. If the loose wire is causing irritation to your lips or cheeks, put wax or a wet cotton ball over the broken wire to relieve the pain.
TAKE CARE OF YOUR APPLIANCES
Damaged appliances can increase the length of your treatment process, so be sure to take care of all your appliances. Your teeth and jaw can only move into their correct positions if you consistently wear the rubber bands, headgear, retainer, or other appliances prescribed by Drs. Rojas.
PLAYING SPORTS WITH BRACES
Game, Set, Match — we have great news for athletes! You can still play sports even while undergoing orthodontic treatment! If you do play sports, it’s recommended that you wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth and your appliance. Let Drs. Rojas know if you need help finding the right mouthguard for the best protection.
In case of a sports emergency, be sure to immediately check your mouth and appliance for damage. If you notice any loose teeth or appliance damage, please contact our office right away. You can temporarily relieve the discomfort by applying wax or rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater.
WHAT SETS
US APART
“Dr. Rojas communicated with my son's dentist directly and facilitated the transfer of information between the offices. That was very helpful to me, since I don't know most of the technical terms for specialty x-rays and other procedures. I look forward to working with Dr. Rojas for many years to come, with my 9-year old son and his younger siblings. I recommend them to families seeking a knowledgeable, skilled, patient, and kind orthodontists. ” Erica H.
“As an adult patient with periodontal issues, finding an orthodontist who is keyed into my special needs was the priority. I am well taken care of in the more-than-capable hands of Dr. Rojas, each appointment is pleasant and feels like a visit with an old friend. Most importantly, my smile transformation is coming along nicely. I am eager to face the world braces-free!” Neil N.
“At my age it was difficult to decide whether to go through orthodontic treatment; I wondered if it would be worth it. Well, it was! Even though I had to wear the Invisalign trays for a couple of months longer than projected, I'm very pleased with the final results. From the initial consultation through the entire orthodontic process, I was made to feel welcome and treated with professionalism. Thank you Dr. Jenniffer Rojas for giving me my healthy smile back. ” Esther S.
“I can't stop grinning. My pearly whites have never looked better and it's all thanks to Dr. Rojas! Sure, it was a downer that I didn't get braces as a kid but I got to hold off for the best of the best! Totally worth the wait!” Billy G.
“My 9-year old son and I have had an excellent experience with Dr. Rojas. They makes sure the visits are comfortable by being kind and setting a positive tone. Also, they always makes time to explain to me and to my son what they will be doing that day, and to answer all our questions. ” Erica H.
“Dr. Rojas communicated with my son's dentist directly and facilitated the transfer of information between the offices. That was very helpful to me, since I don't know most of the technical terms for specialty x-rays and other procedures. I look forward to working with Dr. Rojas for many years to come, with my 9-year old son and his younger siblings. I recommend them to families seeking a knowledgeable, skilled, patient, and kind orthodontists. ” Erica H.
“As an adult patient with periodontal issues, finding an orthodontist who is keyed into my special needs was the priority. I am well taken care of in the more-than-capable hands of Dr. Rojas, each appointment is pleasant and feels like a visit with an old friend. Most importantly, my smile transformation is coming along nicely. I am eager to face the world braces-free!” Neil N.