Navigating your daily dental health can be tough with new braces, especially when it’s time to eat! At the Addison Dentist, we recommend abstaining from hard or sticky foods (or non-food items) while you have braces.
Some of the following ‘no-no’s’ are obvious. But it’s good to review them frequently.
- Popcorn
- Beef jerky
- Nuts (of any kind)
- Ice
- Corn chips
- Hard taco shells
- Sticky or hard candy
- Gum
Make Sure Your Braces Can Do Their Job
If you eat/bite/chew these unsafe items, you could break a bracket extremely easily. If a bracket (or brace) comes off, it means that the tooth is no longer being moved into place. That defeats the purpose of having braces.
Is Your Mouth Sore?
You may notice your teeth and mouth are sore upon first getting braces. We promise that won’t last forever.
This can help; put one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of lukewarm water. Swish it around in your mouth for about thirty seconds. Spit it out when you are finished.
What if a Wire Comes Loose?
If your wires or brackets become loose, use the end of a spoon, or the eraser end of a pencil. Carefully push the bracket or wire back where it goes. If the loose wire is causing irritation to your lips and/or cheeks, you can place a cotton ball between it and the affected area.
Give us a call to make an appointment to get it properly taken care of.
Damaged appliances can extend the treatment process. Take good care of your appliances.
Don’t Slack Off on Oral Hygiene!
Brush at least twice daily, if not after every meal. Remember to floss as well. Nobody with braces likes to floss, but if you want white cavity-free teeth, brushing and flossing daily will help. (Plus, no one wants stinky breath!)
Why is it of the utmost importance to remember to brush and floss daily? Food gets into your appliance every day. It’s inevitable. Food parts turn into plaque. This can cause tooth decay and stains.
Schedule routine appointments with your general dentist for cleanings and exams. Our team will keep your teeth straightening on track. Your dentist is there to ensure your teeth stay healthy throughout the process.
To recap:
- Avoid harmful foods
- Practice proper dental hygiene
- Visit your dentist regularly
Your beautiful new smile will be worth it!
Contact The Addison Dentist:
469-998-2515
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
4145 Belt Line Rd Ste 208
Addison, Texas
75001
