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Braces Diagram

Eating with Braces

What can you eat? Let's talk about what you shouldn't eat! If you've been wanting to drop a few pounds, the first week wearing braces is just your chance! For the first day or so, stick to soft foods.

Avoid tough meats, hard breads, and raw vegetables. Before long, you'll be able to bite a cucumber again. But you'll need to protect your orthodontic appliances when you eat for as long as you're wearing braces.

Foods to Avoid

• Chewy foods: hard bagels, hard rolls, licorice
  
  
• Crunchy foods: popcorn, ice, tortilla chips
  
  
• Sticky foods: caramels, gum containing sugar
  
  
• Hard foods: nuts, candy
  
  
• Chewing on hard things (for example, pens, pencils or fingernails) can damage the braces. Damaged braces will cause treatment to take longer.

General Soreness

When you get your braces on, you may feel general soreness in your mouth and teeth and they may be tender to biting pressures for three to five days. This can be relieved by taking over the counter pain relievers such as: ibuprophen and/or tylonal.

The lips, cheeks and tongue may also become irritated for one to two weeks as they toughen and become accustomed to the surface of the braces. You can put wax on the braces to lessen this. We'll show you how! Also, warm salt water rinses can help cheek and lip irritations. Dissolve one teaspoonful of salt in 8 ounces of warm water, and rinse your mouth vigorously after meals.

Loosening of Teeth

This is to be expected throughout treatment. Don't worry! It's normal. Teeth must loosen first so they can be moved. The teeth will again become rigidly fixed in their new – corrected – positions.

Brushing

You will be given several new tools when you start orthodontics to help keep your braces and teeth clean and healthy. Some patients will require more frequent visits to their dentist for a professional cleaning. Your dentist will let you know if this is necessary. Also, adults who have a history of gum disease or recession may also need to see their dentist or periodontist during orthodontic therapy.

Athletics

If you play sports, it's important that you consult us for special precautions. A protective mouthguard is advised for playing contact sports. In case of any accident involving the face, check your mouth and the appliances immediately.

If teeth are loosened or the appliances damaged, phone at once for an appointment. In the meantime, treat your discomfort as you would treat any general soreness.

Loose Wire or Band

Don’t be alarmed if a wire or band/bracket comes loose. This happens occasionally. You will be given instructions at your initial visit on how to take care of several of the typical types of loose or broken “brace” problems that occur.

We also encourage you to call us with any questions regarding possible loose or broken braces.

Emergency Care

As a general rule, an emergency appointment may be made when there is severe pain, a loose band, a broken wire or something sticking out that you can't take care of.

As a general rule, emergency appointments are pain and/or irritation of the teeth or mouth that are caused by loose bands/brackets or poking wires. If you think that the discomfort is beyond your typical discomfort following an adjustment, please don’t hesitate to call us. Dr. Sessions, a staff member or an “on call” doctor can be reached after hours or on the weekends by calling our main phone number: 503-636-5663.

After Treatment- Retainers

There are several types of retainers that your orthodontist may choose to use for you. There are fixed or bonded retainers and several styles of removable retainers. Retainers are used after braces to keep your teeth from shifting due to either relapse or age related changes.

• Wear your retainers full time until you are instructed to go to night-time wear.
  
  
• Take your retainers out when eating... and always put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunch rooms or restaurants.)
  
  
• Clean your retainers once or twice a day with a toothbrush and toothpaste. If you have the newer clear retainers they may become scratched by most toothpastes, use a toothbrush with hand soap or mouthwash. Also, several retainer cleaners are also available at the drug store.
  
  
• When retainers are not in your mouth they should ALWAYS be in a retainer case. Pets love to chew on them!
  
  
• Initially, you may find it difficult to speak. Practice speaking, reading, or singing out loud to get used to them faster.
  
  
• Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainers are lost or broken call us immediately.
  
  
• If you have any questions or concerns about your retainers, or your retainers need adjusting, call us. Do not try to adjust them yourself.
  
  
• Always bring your retainers to your appointments.
  
  
• Retainer replacement is expensive... with proper care they will last for years!
  
  
• Remove retainers when swimming.
  
  
• Keep retainers away from hot water, hot car dashboards, pockets, the washing machine, and napkins.