Life With Braces

lifewithbraces Now that you have your braces, how do you take care of them? It’s important for you to know how to properly take care of your braces throughout your entire orthodontic treatment.

Eating with Braces

Don’t worry, you’ll be eating popcorn and snacking on potato chips again in no time! However, before you can start 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:

Crunchy Foods: Popcorn, Chips, Ice

Sticky Foods Foods: Caramel Candies, Chewing Gum, Licorice

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 and Poultry: Soft Cooked Chicken, Meatballs, Lunch Meats

Seafood: Tuna, Salmon, Crab Cakes

Fruits: Applesauce, Bananas, Fruit Juice

Treats: Ice Cream (without nuts!), Milkshakes, Jell-O, Soft Cake

Take Care of your Appliances

Damaged appliances can increase the length of your treatment, 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 braces aligners, rubber bands, retainer or other appliances prescribed by your doctor.

Playing Sports with Braces

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 appliances. Let your doctor 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 appliances 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.