Life With Braces

Life with braces does not have to be difficult, but it does require a bit of dedication and a few adjustments. It is important to take excellent care of your teeth and braces during your treatment to achieve optimal results. Follow Hillsdale Orthodontics’ tips, and your braces treatment will go by without a hitch.

What to expect after braces are placed

Having braces put on is a painless procedure; however, the days immediately following can come with some tenderness and soreness. The discomfort should be mild and it will typically go away within two to three days. Your orthodontist will provide you with ways to relieve any tenderness in the days following having your braces put on. Warm saltwater rinses, over-the-counter pain medicines, and eating soft foods can also help.

Your cheeks, lips, and tongue may also experience irritation as they get used to the brackets and wires in your mouth. It is much like adjusting to brand new shoes and getting a blister or two. Warm saltwater rinses are great for relieving soreness associated with braces, and orthodontic wax can be placed on any areas that are causing irritation. Be sure to pay close attention to your brushing and flossing to keep bacteria at bay.

Care & Maintenance

Brush thoroughly after each time you eat a meal or a snack. If you cannot brush right away after a meal, be sure to rinse your mouth with water to wash away any remaining food particles. Pack a travel-sized toothbrush for on-the-go brushing.
Use fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush.
Braces can wear out a toothbrush quickly, so be sure to replace it when it shows signs of wear.
Brush around all the parts of your braces and every surface of your teeth, paying close attention to the area between the brackets and your gums, and under the wires.
You’re doing a good job if your braces look clean and shiny, and if you are able to see the edges of the brackets clearly. Fuzzy-looking or dull metal indicates poor brushing.

How to Floss with Braces

Floss every night before you go to bed.
Use a floss threader, or a floss pick designed specifically for braces. These tools allow you to get dental floss underneath the wires easily.
Consider adding a waterpik to your daily routine. A waterpik is an effective way to remove plaque buildup and keep the teeth and gums clean and healthy.

Eating with Braces

There are a few dietary adjustments that need to be made in order to protect your new braces and to ensure that your treatment goes smoothly. But don’t worry, there are many delicious 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, pudding, plain chocolates, peanut butter cups, brownies, soft cookies. But remember to always limit your intake of sugar, and to brush afterwards!

Foods to AVOID with braces:

Chewy foods – bagels, licorice, pizza crust, French breads
Crunchy foods – popcorn, chips, ice, thick pretzels, hard candies including lollipops
Sticky foods – caramel candies, chewing gum, gummy candies
Hard foods – nuts, hard candies
Foods that require biting into – corn on the cob, whole apples, carrots, ribs, chicken wings

It may take a week or two to adjust to your new life with braces, but in no time, you’ll be a pro. Many of the foods can be cut up or prepared so that you can enjoy them without breaking off your brackets. While it can seem difficult to avoid some of your favorite foods during your treatment, use your smart judgement and your orthodontists’ guidelines to reach the end goal of a beautiful smile! Once you have your routine down, treatment will go by in a flash and you’ll be ready to show off your new, awesome smile.

Life With Braces

What to expect after braces are placed

Care & Maintenance

How to Floss with Braces

Eating with Braces

Foods you CAN eat with braces:

Foods to AVOID with braces:

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Thinking of braces or aligners to improve your smile and bite?

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