Eating with Braces
Let’s discuss what you shouldn’t eat while in braces. During the first couple of days after getting your braces, we recommend a soft diet, avoiding hard, raw vegetables, meats and bread. Eventually, you can return to your normal diet, with a few exceptions that will ensure you protect your braces.
Foods to Avoid
- Sticky foods like: gum (sugarless is OK), caramels, Tootsie Rolls
- Hard foods like: candy, nuts, pizza crust, bagels
- Foods you have to bite into: apples, corn on the cob, carrots
It is also important to avoid chewing on hard items like pencils, pens and fingernails as this can cause damage to the braces ultimately prolonging your treatment time.
General Soreness
It is common for general soreness to occur for up to five days after getting your braces put on or adjusted. You may use a warm saltwater mouthwash to help relieve this discomfort. Simply dissolve one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of warm water. Vigorously rinse your mouth. For severe pain, you may take an acetaminophen (Tylenol or Advil) or aspirin to alleviate the discomfort. Your cheeks and gums will need some time to adjust to the surface of the braces as well. You can use wax to cover the brackets to lessen the irritation.
Loose Teeth
Your teeth may feel loose during treatment. Don’t panic! This is normal. In order for the teeth to move, they must loosen first. By the end of treatment, the teeth will firmly by fixed into their new positions.
Care of Appliances
Ultimately, successful orthodontic treatment is achieved by a mutual relationship between the patient and the orthodontist. Patient compliance is of the utmost importance for the teeth to achieve the ideal correct position. Please follow the instructions provided to you by Dr. Stryker for wearing rubber bands, headgear and other appliances. Please contact us if you lose or damage an appliance as this could prolong treatment time.
Brushing & Flossing
Maintaining a proper oral hygiene regimen is more important now than ever when you have braces. Brushing and flossing up three to four times a day is recommended to ensure your teeth and gums are healthy after orthodontic treatment.
Retainer Instructions
- We want you to wear your retainers all day the first two days, then to night wear only.
- Do not eat, drink, or chew gum with your retainers in.
- Do not flip your retainers with your tongue.
- When cleaning your retainers, use cool soapy water and a toothbrush.
- Do not use toothpaste, as it will scratch the retainers.
- Every time you take your retainers out of your mouth - put them in your case. If you have a dog they will eat them (This is the #1 reason for replacement) because they are clear - they are easy to lose. Don't wrap them in a napkin when eating or they will be thrown away.
- Don't put them in your pocket - If they go through the washer and dryer - it will distort them.
- Bring your retainers to each visit.
- To replace your retainers it will cost you $200.00. This is why it is so important not to lose or break them.
- Retainers are forever. It is very important that you follow our instructions. Thank You!!
Fixed Expander Instructions
Follow the instructions provided to you by Dr. Stryker as to how often you are to turn the expander key. To turn the key, simply insert the key into the hole and turn towards the arrow. Stop turning the expander if you are unable to keep your appointment.
Athletics
Consult Dr. Stryker about special precautions that should be taken while playing sports while in braces. We recommend patients playing sports wear a protective mouthguard to avoid damage to the teeth, gums and mouth if an accident occurs. Contact us immediately if an accident occurs and the patient’s teeth are loosened or the appliance is damaged.
Loose Wire or Band
It is common for a wire or band to come loose during treatment. If a protruding wire begins to irritate your gums, use the back of a spoon or eraser to gently push it under the archwire. If the discomfort continues, use wax or a cotton swab to alleviate the irritation. Contact us to schedule an appointment to check and repair the appliance. Bring any piece that may come off to your appointment.
Emergency Care
Contact our office to schedule an emergency appointment if you are experiencing one of the following:
- You are in severe pain
- A wire broke
- A bracket broke
- Something is irritating your gums and you are unable to fix it
We encourage you to become familiar with the parts of your appliances so you can thoroughly describe to us of any problems you may have.