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Eating with Braces
The days following the beginning of orthodontic treatments are often the most challenging as a result of soreness and uncomfortable feelings in the mouth. Immediately after the treatment begins, we recommend sticking to softer foods and completely avoiding tougher food such as meat or raw vegetable. However, after a week or two you will be able to go back to your regular diet, with a few exceptions of course. Here is a general list of the “Do's and “Don’ts” of having braces.
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Foods to Avoid
Chewy foods: candy such as taffy, dough-based foods such as bread Crunchy foods: chips, pretzels, almonds Sticky foods: gum, caramel, caramel apples Hard foods: raw vegetables such as carrots, peppers, zucchini Foods you have to bite into: apples, carrots, cucumbers. However, many of these foods can still be enjoyed if it is cut into smaller pieces and chewed with the back teeth. Habits of chewing on things such as pens or pencils have to broken, as this can damage your teeth and your braces.
Brushing
After finishing your orthodontic treatment, all you want to is come out with healthy teeth and a perfect smile. But this is not attainable unless you brush and floss your teeth regularly. Those patients who do not take care of their teeth will have to pay additional visits to the office for a professional cleaning. For adults with a history of gum diseases it is recommended that they see a professional periodontist during their treatments. During the initial procedure of getting your braces, as well as after adjustment appointments, you may experience soreness in the mouth and a general tenderness for a few days. During this period of adjustment, it is recommended that the patient sticks to a diet of soft foods and avoids tougher foods altogether. At this time, it may also be expected that the lips, cheeks, and tongue become irritated as they toughen and adjust to the surface of the braces. In order to lessen the pain of the irritation, we recommend rinsing your mouth with a warm saltwater solution. Dissolve one teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water and rinse. An alternative can be found at a pharmacy, an oral anesthetic than can be rubbed on the affected areas.
Loose Wire or Band
Occasionally a wire or band may come loose, but not to worry as this is an easy fix. If you find a wire protruding and irritating the mouth you may use a blunt tool (such as the back of a spoon) in order to carefully push the wire back into its place. However, this is only a temporary solution and it is recommended that you call Advanced Dental NYC as soon as possible to fix the problem. If any piece, such as a bracket or wire, comes off we recommend saving it and bringing it into the office at the next appointment.
Patient Responsibilities
For the treatment to be fully successful, some small responsibilities are asked of the patient. If the patient consistently wears their rubber bands and other appliances as told by the orthodontist, the teeth and jaw should only be able to move towards their corrected positions. If an appliance is broken or damaged or an adjustment appointment is missed, the length of time for the treatment may lengthen. Additional trips to the orthodontist may be required if the patient does not maintain their oral hygiene properly.
Athletic
If the patient partakes in physical activities such as sports, they must consult our orthodontic team for special precautions. It is advised that the patient wears a protective mouthguard if playing contact sports. All appliances must be checked in the case of an accident involving the face. If a problem ensues and the teeth are loosed or the appliances have been damaged, schedule an appointment at Advanced Dental NYC immediately.
