Life with Braces
Candice L. – Actual Fort McMurray Orthodontics Patient
Adjusting to Life with Braces
Adjusting to life with braces means you must take good care of your teeth and your braces during treatment. The first few days with braces can be accompanied with tenderness and soreness. This is perfectly normal, but the good news is that it gets better. Usually within 2 to 3 days, the general soreness will subside. It is also not uncommon for your lips, cheeks, and tongue to become irritated as they become used to the braces.
Great brushing and flossing are also crucial in keeping the bacteria at bay, and don’t forget to use wax, which we will provide for you.
How to Brush with Braces
Brushing is an important part of keeping your braces and your teeth in top condition. Here are some brushing tips that will help you make sure your teeth stay clean:
- Brush thoroughly after each time you eat a meal or snack. If you cannot brush right away after a meal, be sure to rinse your mouth with water
- Braces wear out a toothbrush quickly, so be sure to replace your toothbrush as soon as it shows signs of wear
- Brush around all the parts of your braces and every surface of your teeth
- You’re doing a good job if your braces look clean and shiny, and you are able to see the edges of the brackets clearly. Fuzzy-looking or dull metal indicates poor brushing
How to Floss with Braces
Regular flossing should also be an integral part of your cleaning routine. Use these tips to make flossing easier:
- Floss every night before you go to bed
- Use a floss threader – this reusable tool allows you to get dental floss underneath the wires easily
Eating with Braces
There are a few dietary adjustments you will need to make in order to protect your new braces and ensure that your treatment goes smoothly. But don’t worry – there are still many tasty foods that you can still eat!
Foods you CAN eat with braces:
- Dairy – soft cheese, pudding, milk-based drinks, yogurts, cottage cheese, eggs
- Breads – soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins without nuts
- Grains – pasta, soft cooked rice
- Meats/poultry – tender meats, meatballs, lunch meats
- Seafood
- Vegetables – mashed potatoes, steamed veggies, beans
- Fruits – applesauce, bananas, fruit juice, smoothies, berries
- Treats – ice cream without nuts, milkshakes, Jell-O, plain chocolates, peanut butter cups, brownies, soft cookies. But remember to always limit your intake on sugar!
Foods to avoid with braces:
- Chewy foods – bagels, licorice, pizza crust, French breads
- Crunchy foods – popcorn, chips, ice, hard candies including lollipops, thick pretzels
- Sticky foods – caramel candies, chewing gum, gummy candies
- Hard foods – nuts, hard candies
- Foods that require biting into – corn on the cob, apples, carrots, ribs and chicken wings
Habits to avoid with braces:
- Chewing on objects such as pens and ice cubes
- Nail biting
- Smoking
What Life is Like with Braces
Wondering what life is like with braces and how it feels to get them off? Some of our clients have shared their experiences:
A Perfect Smile
Before braces, I felt concerned for health reasons since I had a baby tooth which could come with future problems. Now that I am finished with braces I'm relieved and happy with the bonus of a perfect smile. Thanks to Dr. Koh and staff.
Susana | Age 26
