Foods to Avoid While Wearing Braces
For most situations, common sense will tell you what to avoid. Hard foods, sticky foods and foods high in sugar must be avoided. Hard foods can break or damage wires and brackets. Sticky foods can get caught between brackets and wires. Minimize sugary foods; they cause tooth decay and related problems.
Examples of Sticky Foods to Avoid:
- Gum (sugar-free or regular)
- Licorice
- Sugar Daddies
- Toffee
- Tootsie Rolls
- Caramels and Taffy
- Starburst
- Fruit Roll-ups
- Gummy bears
- Skittles
- Milk Duds
Examples of Hard Foods to Avoid:
- Ice
- Nuts
- Hard taco shells
- French bread crust/rolls (tear into smaller pieces)
- Corn on the cob
- Apples and carrots (unless cut into small pieces)
- Bagels
- Chips and Popcorn
- Jolly Ranchers
Minimize Sugary Foods like:
- Cake
- Ice Cream
- Cookies
- Pie
- Candy
Only Once a Day:
- Soda
- Sweetened tea
- Gatorade
- Kool-Aid
- Drinks with sugar
Other Habits to Avoid:
- Nail biting
- Pencil and pen chewing
- Chewing on foreign objects
- Biting your lips
- Tearing things with teeth
It's important to regularly check your braces for bent or loose wires and brackets. In the event of a loose/broken wire or bracket, call our office immediately to arrange an appointment for repair.
Sore Teeth and Mouth
Right after you get your braces, your teeth and mouth will likely feel sore or tender. The brackets may even scratch your cheeks.
To alleviate the pain:
- Gargle lukewarm saltwater, which is a mixture of one teaspoon of salt dissolved in eight ounces of water.
- Take acetaminophen or other non-aspirin pain relievers.
- Use a warm wash cloth or heating pad to reduce the soreness in your jaws.
- Use orthodontic wax to prevent brackets from scratching you.
Loosening of Teeth
Do not be alarmed. It is normal for teeth to loosen during orthodontic treatment. In fact, teeth must loosen before they can be moved into their new-corrected positions.
Loose Brackets or Bands
If a wire or band comes loose, do not be alarmed. This sometimes happens. If a wire is sticking out and irritating your mouth, you may use the eraser end of a pencil or the back of a spoon to carefully push the wire underneath the archwire. If you continue to experience irritation, put wax or wet cotton on the wire. Please call us as soon as possible so we can schedule an appointment for repair. If any piece of your appliance comes off, please save it and bring it to your appointment.
Caring for Your Appliances
Patient cooperation is a big part of successful orthodontic treatment. Please be sure to wear your appliance as prescribed, including your rubber bands, headgear, retainer or other appliance. If not, your treatment will be delayed and take longer to complete.
Also be sure to take care of your appliances. Avoid the foods listed above. Broken appliances require additional repair appointments and additional fees. Sometimes broken appliances cause unwanted tooth movement, and ultimately, delayed treatment.
We understand that appliances do break – even when you aren't eating anything listed above! Take care of your appliances, and your treatment should run smoothly!
Brushing
During orthodontic treatment, it is more important than ever to brush and floss daily, so that your teeth and gums are healthy following treatment. If you don't keep your teeth clean during orthodontic treatment, you may need to see your dentist more regularly. Adults with a history of gum disease should visit their periodontist during treatment.
Athletics
If you play any type of contact sport, we recommend you wear a mouthguard. We are pleased to offer our patients custom-fabricated mouth guards, which fit comfortably, and offer the most protection. If you experience any trauma to the face, check your mouth and appliances for any damages immediately. If your appliance is damaged or you notice any loose teeth, schedule an appointment immediately. While you are waiting to see us, you may take acetaminophen or any other non-aspirin pain reliever you would normally take for a headache or soreness.