843 N. Nolan River Road
Cleburne, TX 76033
ph: 817.556.2323
doc
Braces 101
- Eating with Braces
- For the first day or so after getting your braces on, stick to soft foods. Avoid tough meats, hard breads, and raw vegetables. Before long, you'll be able to eat those foods 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: bagels, hard rolls, licorice
- Crunchy foods: popcorn, ice, chips
- Sticky foods: caramels, gum
- Hard foods: nuts, candy
- Foods you have to bite into: corn on the cob, apples, carrots
- 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 some soreness in your mouth and your teeth may be tender to biting pressures for three to five days. This can be relieved by taking aspirin or whatever you normally take for headache or similar pain. 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 give you some the day you get your braces on.
- Loosening of Teeth
- This is to be expected throughout treatment. Teeth must loosen first so they can be moved. Don't worry, the teeth will again become rigidly fixed in their new — corrected — positions.
- Loose Wire, Bracket or Band
Don't be alarmed if a wire, bracket or band comes loose. This happens occasionally.
If a wire protrudes and is irritating, use a blunt instrument (such as the eraser end of a pencil) and very carefully and gently push the irritating wire into a more comfortable position. If irritation to the lips or mouth continues, place wax on the wire to reduce the annoyance.
It's always a good idea to call the office and let us know if any part of your braces comes loose. We may or may not need to bring you in to the office immediately, but we may be able to advise you of a temporary solution until we can repair the appliance. If any piece of your braces comes off, save it and bring it with you to the office.Please refer to the First Aid page of the website for additional temporary solutions to minor orthodontic problems.
- Care of Appliances
- To successfully complete the recommended treatment, the patient and the orthodontist must be a team. The teeth and jaws can only move toward their corrected positions if the patient consistently wears the rubber bands, headgear or other appliances as prescribed. Damaged appliances lengthen the treatment time.
- Brushing
It's more important than ever to brush and floss regularly when you have braces, so the teeth and gums are healthy after orthodontic treatment. Patients who do not keep their teeth clean may require more frequent visits to the dentist for a professional cleaning, or may have permanent "scars" on their teeth as a result of poor hygiene. Adults who have a history of gum disease should also see a periodontist during orthodontic treatment.
- Athletics
- If you play sports, it's important that you consult us for special precautions. A protective mouthguard can be provided 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, call the office immediately. In the meantime, treat your discomfort as you would treat any general soreness.
Copyright 2011 Tennison Orthodontics. All rights reserved.
843 N. Nolan River Road
Cleburne, TX 76033
ph: 817.556.2323
doc
