Braces

You just had bracket placement done.

The KEY rule is: Nothing Sticky, Chewy or Hard

NEVER EAT!!!

Caramel, Chewing Gum

Chocolate Chips,

Crouton

Gummy Bears

Hard Pretzels

Ice Cubes

Jellybeans

Licorice

M & M’s

Nuts

Popcorn, Pizza Crust

Skittles, Smarties,

Starburst

Tootsie Roll

EAT WITH CAUTION

Bagel Corn on the Cob,

Crunchy Granola Bar,

Crusty Bread, Chicken Wings

Food high in sugar (e.g. candy, soda, not often and brush soon after)

Fruit with Pits (e.g. peaches)

Hard Fruit (e.g. apple)

Nacho Chips

Raw Vegetables,

Ribs

SAFE TO EAT

Cereal in Milk, Cheese Eggs

French Fries

Ice Cream (without nuts)

Jello

Milkshakes

Pasta Potatoes, Peanut Butter Cups, Potato Chips, Pudding

Sandwiches, Soft Pretzels, Soup, Steamed Vegetable

Yogurt

When you follow the guidelines of what to eat and what not to eat when wearing braces, you are doing yourself a favor. It is important to avoid certain foods that can damage the orthodontic appliances, brackets and wires which may cause delays in treatment.

GENERAL SORENESS

Your mouth and teeth may be tender to biting pressures for 3 – 5 days. This can be relieved by rinsing your mouth with warm salt water (1 tsp of salt to 8 oz. of water). If the tenderness is severe, take whatever you normally take for headache or similar pain. The lips, cheeks and tongue may also become irritated for 1 – 2 weeks as they toughen and become accustomed to the surface of the braces. You can put wax on the braces to lessen this.

LOOSENING OF TEETH

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

CARE AT HOME

When brushing, you need to pay special attention not only to your teeth and gums, but also to the brackets and wires.

1. If your orthodontist has fitted you with elastics, remove them before brushing.

2. Place your brush at an angle of 45 degrees against the gums. Gently brush along the gum line where the gums and teeth meet, using a small circular motion on each tooth.

3. Spend about 10 seconds on each tooth before moving onto the next tooth, brush in a set pattern so that you don’t miss any teeth.

4. Gently brush the braces. Press your toothbrush firmly enough so that the bristles spread into the gaps between the wire and the tooth. Brush in and around all of the brackets and wires. Ensure that you brush under the wires.

5. Brush both the inside and the outside surfaces of your teeth using a gentle circular motion on each tooth.

6. For the chewing surfaces, use a firm back and forth motion.

7. Spit out excess paste, then closely inspect your teeth and braces in the mirror to check that they are clean and shiny.

8. Replace your elastics in accordance with your orthodontist’s recommendation.

9. After brushing, rinse with a fluoride mouthwash for 1 minute to help prevent cavities and white spots.

10. Use other oral care products as prescribed by your dental professional.

You can and should floss while wearing braces! Ask your dentist or hygienist to show you.

It is your dentist’s desire that your experience be as smooth and pleasant as possible. Following these instructions will assist you, but if you have concerns and/or questions about your progress, please call your orthodontist’s office immediately!

We encourage you to speak up if you do not like or understand some aspects of your oral care. You deserve to be heard and your dentist deserves the opportunity to listen. This is what most dentists do, and they will make considerable efforts to accomodate you.

You will be responsible for all costs incurred if you fail to follow these instructions.