Now that you have your braces, it’s important to know how to take care of them throughout your orthodontic journey. With the right habits, you’ll keep your smile healthy and your treatment on track!
Eating with Braces
Don’t worry — you’ll be back to enjoying your favorite snacks before long! For now, you’ll need to avoid certain foods that can damage your braces or slow down your treatment.
Foods to avoid:
- Chewy foods — bagels, licorice
- Crunchy foods — popcorn, chips, ice
- Sticky foods — caramel candies, chewing gum
- Hard foods — nuts, hard candies
- Foods you bite into — corn on the cob, apples, carrots
Foods you can enjoy:
- 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 from Braces or Appliances
It’s normal for your teeth and mouth to feel a little tender or sore when you first get braces. This means your teeth are starting to move!
To relieve soreness:
- Mix one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of warm water and swish gently for a couple of minutes (don’t swallow).
- If needed, take an over-the-counter pain reliever.
- If your lips, cheeks, or tongue feel irritated, apply orthodontic wax to the brackets or wires that are bothering you.
Your mouth will adjust within a week or two — and soon, braces will feel completely natural.
Loose Teeth
Feeling like your teeth are a little loose? Don’t worry — that’s a good sign! Braces must first loosen teeth slightly to move them into the right position. Once they’re aligned and retained, they’ll feel stable again.
Loose Wires and Bands
If a wire or band becomes loose, contact our office as soon as possible so we can fix it. Save any loose parts and bring them with you to your appointment.
If you can’t get in right away:
- Use the back of a spoon or the eraser end of a pencil to gently push the wire back into place.
- Cover any sharp ends with wax or a wet cotton ball to protect your cheeks and lips.
Taking Care of Your Appliances
Damaged or neglected appliances can increase the length of your treatment time, 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, or other appliances as directed
Playing Sports with Braces
Good news — you can still play all your favorite sports while wearing braces! We recommend using a mouthguard to protect your teeth and braces from injury. Our team can help you choose the right type for the best comfort and protection.
If you experience a sports-related injury:
- Check your mouth and braces for any loose teeth or damage.
- Apply wax or rinse with warm saltwater to ease discomfort.
- Contact our office right away so we can make any needed repairs.
With good care and attention, your braces will stay in great shape — and you’ll be one step closer to your beautiful Double T smile!