Education Life with Braces

 

Brushing and Flossing

Brush your teeth and braces two to three times per day. Be sure to brush at the gum line, along the chewing surface and all around the braces. Check in the mirror after rinsing to make sure you have removed all the plaque and food debris.

You should also floss at least once per day to remove plaque and food debris from between your teeth and under the gums. Regular brushing and flossing is very important in order to prevent white spots (which are permanent) and cavities from developing on your teeth. Good oral hygiene is also important to keep your gums healthy and prevent them from getting puffy and sensitive.

We do expect you to keep up with your visits to the general dentist every six months for checkup and cleaning. Most dental offices request that you have your wires removed for the cleaning appointment, so be sure to schedule a “wires out” appointment with us in advance of your cleaning and a “wires in” appointment (which often can be coordinated with your regular monthly adjustment visit) right after your teeth have been cleaned.

Eating with Braces

When you have braces, it is very important that you watch what you eat!

• Avoid chewy/sticky foods, such as:
  Gum, caramel, taffy, Starburst®, Skittles®, Tootsie Rolls®, etc.

• Avoid hard/crunchy foods, such as:
  Pretzels, nuts, raw carrots (cooked are okay), etc.

• Avoid biting into foods, such as:
  Apples, corn on the cob, ribs, etc.
  (You can eat these foods, but only with a knife and fork)

General Soreness

During the first week after your braces are in place and routine adjustments are complete, you may feel some soreness or discomfort. You can take acetaminophen or whatever you normally take for headaches while you adjust to your new braces. Your lips, cheeks and tongue may also become irritated for one to two weeks as they toughen and become accustomed to the surface of the braces. You can put the dental wax we provide on the braces to lessen this.

If you have any questions regarding brushing, flossing or foods you can/cannot eat while wearing braces, please contact us at 941.755.6990.