Life With Braces

Creating the perfect smile does mean that you will have to live life a little bit differently but it is well worth a fantastic smile.  Certain areas of your life which you may have to modify include eating, dental care and playing sports.

Starting Out

Your entire mouth and teeth will feel pretty sore when you first get your braces.  You may struggle with eating your favorite foods so it is recommended to avoid eating certain foods to relieve your mouth and teeth of additional pressure.  Mouthwash and warm salt water help to relieve the soreness in the first few days.  If the pain is constant and interferes with your life, then you can take a common pain reliever like aspirin.  Wax on the braces can also help to lessen the irritation of the mouth, lips and cheeks until the mouth is accustomed to having braces.  Over time, your teeth will loosen up but it is nothing to be alarmed about.  The teeth must become loose in order to move into the right position and will become sturdy again when they are in their new spot.

What Can You Eat with Braces?

When your braces are placed onto your teeth, you will experience some moderate soreness and eating tough foods such as meats and raw vegetables will cause you some pain.  For the first week, you should only eat foods which do not require you to strain your teeth too hard.  Over time, this sensitivity will disappear and you will be able to eat just about anything.  Just remember that you are eating with your braces so certain foods can actually damage and get caught in them.  Try to avoid eating the following foods to eliminate damage to your orthodontic appliances:

  • Bagels and hard rolls
  • Popcorn
  • Gum and Candy
  • Ice
  • Apples
  • Corn on the cob

And remember, biting your fingernails or chewing on pen caps can also damage your braces so try to avoid your jitters.

Dental Hygiene

In addition to taking care of your teeth, you must also take care of your braces.  Follow the orthodontist’s directions when it comes to wearing your rubber bands, headgear and anything else that has been prescriber to you.  With braces, it is much easier that food becomes stuck between them so you must make sure that you stick to your dental hygiene plan, brushing your teeth 2 to 3 times per day, flossing and using mouthwash.  Your orthodontist will give you more specific instructions on how to brush and floss your teeth with braces.

Braces and Sports

Your braces will not get you out of gym class but you should be more careful with your mouth, especially if you are athletic.  A protective mouth guard is recommended for playing any sport, even soccer, to prevent your braces, mouth and teeth from damage.  If you are injured, check to see the damage done to your mouth and to the braces.  You should call for an appointment if your teeth are loosened or knocked out and if the braces have been damaged.

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Cable Orthodontic

Monday:

10:00 am-6:00 pm

Tuesday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

9:00 am-2:00 pm

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