Life with Braces
Here, you will find basic information on caring for your braces so treatment is as smooth as possible.
Once you have braces, it is important that you take care of them throughout your entire treatment. Damaged appliances can increase the length of your treatment process.
Life with Braces
Your teeth and jaws can only move into their correct positions if you consistently wear the appliances prescribed by our orthodontist, and if all appliances are in working order. Smile at the World Orthodontics has provided some basic information on caring for your braces on this page.
Soreness Caused by Braces or Other Appliances
When you first begin wearing braces, you may experience some soreness or aching for a few days as your teeth begin to move and your mouth adjusts to your braces. This mild aching can also occur following adjustments to your braces. If you experience persistent pain, please contact our office as soon as possible, and make an appointment with our orthodontist so that we can resolve the problem.
To relieve discomfort, we recommend dissolving one teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of lukewarm water. Swish and gargle this solution in your mouth for a couple of minutes – do not swallow the saltwater! If further pain relief is needed, you can also take a pain reliever, such as ibuprofen.
If anything is irritating or rubbing against your cheeks or lips, our orthodontist recommends placing wax over any brackets or parts of your appliance that may rub. We provide this wax to you with your new patient kit.
Eating With Braces:
There are some types of foods that can damage your braces. Our orthodontist recommends that you avoid the following types of foods:
Chewy foods – bagels, licorice
Crunchy foods – popcorn, tortilla chips
Sticky foods – caramel candies, taffy, gooey candies
Some foods that require biting into – corn on the cob, raw apples, raw carrots
Hard foods – nuts, ice, hard candies
Sodas – any carbonated beverage
Loose Wires, Bands, or Brackets
If your wires, bands, or brackets come loose, please contact our office as soon as possible so that we can check and repair your appliances. If any piece of your appliance comes off, be sure to save it and bring it to the office with you. If you cannot come into our office immediately, we will be able to provide you with instructions on caring for your loose or broken appliance until you can visit us.
Playing Sports with Braces
Braces do not stop you from playing sports. Our orthodontist does, however, recommend that you be fitted for a custom mouth guard to protect your teeth and appliances, as well as your lips, cheeks, tongue, jaw, and soft tissue. Please ask us about sports mouth guards when you visit our office.
If there is a sports emergency, check your mouth and appliance for damage immediately, and contact our office for any needed repairs.
Our orthodontist is dedicated to keeping your smile healthy and free from pain. To help us do this, we provide several types of mouth guards at our office. For our athletic patients, we often recommend a type of mouth guard called an athletic mouth guard or sports guard. Sports guards fit over your teeth while you play sports and participate in other athletic activities to protect your smile from injury. Sports guards are especially important for our patients who play high-contact sports such as wrestling, football, hockey, and rugby; however, all types of athletes can benefit from an athletic mouth guard. Whether you play soccer, basketball, or baseball, a sports guard can be a great way to protect your smile and keep it safe.
While a number of types of athletic mouth guards are available, a custom-made mouth guard is the most effective in protecting your smile. This type of mouth guard is designed to comfortably fit your smile and prevent dental injury such as knocked out and chipped teeth. A sports guard can also help to prevent injury to the soft tissues of the mouth, including the tongue, lips, cheeks, and gums.