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Life with Braces

What to Expect: Life with Braces

Now that you have your braces, you should know how to properly take care of them. Below are a few facts about what to expect during life with braces.

Beside changes in your diet, you can expect some changes in sensation around mouth and teeth as well.

Eating with Braces

Don’t worry, you can get back to eating popcorn and chips when your treatment is over. However, life with braces means you will need to take special care to avoid any foods that could damage your new braces. Here are some guidelines to what you can and can’t eat.

Food to Avoid with braces

  • Chewy foods: bagels, licorice
  • Crunchy foods: popcorn, chips, ice
  • Sticky foods: caramel candies, chewing gum
  • 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/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

Looking for more tips? Download and print more info on our patient resource page

Taking Care of Your Braces

Damaged braces can increase the length of your treatment process, so be sure to take care of them. This can be done by following the proper cleaning procedures, dietary restrictions, and cautionary measures.  Also, consistently wearing the elastics or other appliances prescribed by your doctor. If you follow the necessary maintenance requirements, you should be able to enjoy almost all the activities you did before your orthodontic treatment.

Do you have questions about life with braces? The STRAIGHTSMILE team is here to help you feel comfortable with your treatment. Contact us today!

Discomfort
When you first get your braces, you may notice that your teeth and mouth feel a little tender or sore. This is a perfectly normal part of life with braces and it will not last forever. During the first few weeks of treatment, It is also normal for your lips, cheeks, and tongue to be irritated as they become used to the braces. For tips to relieve soreness, visit our patient resources for information.

Besides being a little tender and sore, there are some other physical changes you may experience.

Loose Teeth, Wires, and Bands
It is normal for your teeth to begin feeling a little loose. In order to get a straighter smile, your braces must first loosen your teeth to move them into the right position. Once your teeth have been repositioned, they will no longer be loose. The wires and bands on your teeth may become loose, please contact us so we can check and repair the problem.

For tips, visit our patient resources for information

Playing Sports with Braces
Good news- Life with braces still allows you to play sports! If you are an athlete, you should wear a mouth guard to protect your teeth and your braces. Let our team know if you need help finding the right mouth guard and we would be happy to assist you.

In the case of an injury, be sure to immediately check your mouth and braces for damage. If you notice anything out of the usual, please contact our office right away. You can find tips to temporarily relieve the discomfort by visiting our patient resources for information.

Our very own Dr. Floreani explains why retainers are so important in orthodontic treatment in this “Ask The Experts” video from Canadian Association of Orthodontics.

Life After Braces

After your braces have been removed you’ll receive a custom fit retainer. This is a crucial step to ensuring that your new, healthy & beautiful smile will last a lifetime. If your retainer isn’t worn regularly, your teeth may shift into a different position and all progress could be lost. A few patients may even require braces for a second time. For more information on retainer care, see our patient resources page for a downloadable guide.

Contact our office today to schedule your FREE consultation