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Living with braces

Whether you’re considering getting braces or are already in the process of treatment, here are some answers to common questions and tips to help you with everything you need to know about living with braces.

What food should I avoid while wearing braces?

You should still be able to eat most of your favorite foods during treatment. However, there are a few things we highly recommend avoiding that may damage your brackets.

We highly recommend that you refrain from:

  • Chewing gum (except if sugar-free)
  • Chewy or sticky candies such as taffy, etc.
  • Hard, crunchy foods such as crusty bread, apples, etc. (It should be fine if you cut these into bite-sized pieces when eating.)
  • Fruit juices (because of acidic content)
  • Fizzy drinks, sports drinks, and flavored water (including diet varieties)

Please note: this is not an exhaustive list. If you have questions or concerns about foods you can eat during treatment, please don’t hesitate to consult our friendly team members.

What food should I avoid while wearing braces?

What is the best way to care for my teeth while wearing braces?

Here are some helpful tips to ensure proper care for both your teeth and braces during treatment:

  • Brush your teeth at least 3 times a day after meals to prevent plaque or food build-up around your braces. (Important: use a toothbrush with soft bristles only.)
  • Floss your teeth carefully around the braces, the gum area, and around each tooth.
  • Use a spiral toothbrush to thoroughly clean in between brackets (a regular toothbrush can’t reach these areas).
  • Use a fluoride mouthwash daily.
  • Cut hard-to-bite foods such as meat or apples into bite-sized pieces.
  • Wear a gum shield while playing contact sports such as basketball, soccer, etc.
What is the best way to care for my teeth while wearing braces?

How to solve minor orthodontic issues

Should you experience any of the following issues with your braces, here are some of our suggested solutions to help you temporarily relieve discomfort:

  • General soreness: After fitting or adjustment appointments with braces, it is normal to feel some tenderness in your teeth. This should only last for three to five days. To relieve this, you may rinse your mouth with saltwater or take an over-the-counter pain reliever.
  • Slight irritation: You may experience irritation on your lips, cheeks, or tongue after your appliance is fitted. This should only last one to two weeks as your mouth adjusts to your braces. You may put wax on the braces to lessen the friction. We’ll show you how.
  • Poking wire: If a wire sticks out and causes irritation, you can use a pencil eraser and push the poking wire down (away from your gums or mouth). You may also opt to place orthodontic wax on top of it to prevent rubbing until you can come in for an appointment.
  • Loose band or bracket: If the seal of the cement (glue) holding a band or bracket has been broken, call our office to schedule an appointment. If a band or bracket detaches from the wire, kindly save it and bring it with you.
  • Broken archwire or headgear, lost ligature or hook: These issues could cause the teeth to move in the wrong direction and must be corrected as soon as possible. Call our office to schedule an appointment.
How to solve minor orthodontic issues

Have more questions on proper brace care?

If you’re experiencing any of the issues above with your braces call us at 502-895-3473 or book an appointment with us even if you manage to fix the problem yourself. It’s important for our team to check that your braces are still working properly.

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Have more questions on proper brace care?