Life with Braces IN THE HASLET, Keller, AND SAGINAW, TX AREA

Do you have questions on how to care for your new braces? You've come to the right place. Feel free to call us if you need any further information.

Eating with Braces

Don't worry, you'll be eating popcorn again in no time! However, before you can start enjoying some of the treats you love, you will need to take special care to avoid foods that could damage your new appliances.

Foods to avoid with braces:

Chewy foods — bagels, licorice
Crunchy foods — popcorn, chips, ice
Sticky foods — caramel candies, chewing gum
Hard foods — nuts, hard candies
Foods that require biting into — corn on the cob

Foods you CAN eat with braces:

Dairy — soft cheese, pudding, milk-based drinks
Breads — soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins without nuts
Grains — pasta, soft cooked rice
Meats/poultry — soft cooked chicken, meatballs
Seafood — tuna, salmon, crab cakes
Vegetables — mashed potatoes, steamed spinach, beans
Fruits — applesauce, bananas, cut fruit that can be chewed on your back teeth
Treats — ice cream without nuts, Jell-O, soft cake

Soreness Caused from Braces and Appliances

When you first get your braces, you may notice that your teeth and mouth feel a little tender or sore. This is perfectly normal and we promise your mouth will not be sore forever! To relieve the pain, we recommend dissolving one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of lukewarm water. Swish and gargle this solution in your mouth for just a couple of minutes (do not swallow the saltwater).

If the pain is more severe and does not go away after rinsing, you can also try taking an over the counter pain reliever. It is also not uncommon for your lips, cheeks, and tongue to become irritated for one to two weeks as they toughen and become used to the braces. Dry the area causing discomfort, take a pea-sized amount of wax and place it on the area. Feel free to ask for more wax if you need more.

Loose Teeth

If your teeth begin feeling a little loose, don't worry; this is normal. Your braces must first loosen your teeth to move them into the right position. Once your teeth have been repositioned, they will no longer feel loose.

Loose Wires and Bands

The wires and bands on your braces may come loose. If this happens, please contact us so that we can schedule a time to check your braces. If any piece of your appliance comes off, be sure to save it and bring it to the office with you.

You can temporarily fix a loose wire by using the back of a spoon or the eraser end of a pencil to carefully and gently push the wire back into place. If the loose wire is causing irritation to your lips or cheeks, put wax or a wet cotton ball over the broken wire to relieve the pain.

Take Care of Your Appliances

Damaged appliances can increase the length of your treatment process, so be sure to take care of all your appliances. Your teeth and jaw can only move into their correct positions if you consistently wear the rubber bands, headgear, retainer, or other appliances prescribed by your doctor.

Playing Sports with Braces

You can still play sports while undergoing orthodontic treatment. When you play sports, it's recommended that you wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth and your braces. Mouthguards are available in our office, and they are specifically designed for wear with braces.

In case of a sports emergency, be sure to immediately check your mouth and appliance for damage. If you notice any loose teeth or appliance damage, please contact our office right away. You can temporarily relieve the discomfort by applying wax or rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater.