Taking Care of Your Braces

Hey - you got braces! They look great!

Well, okay, they look like braces. But when they are all finished doing their job, your teeth will be straight, and your smile will be amazing!

While you are wearing your braces, we'd like to remind you that there are things that you can do to help your braces do their job as fast as possible, and to make sure that your teeth are healthy and beautiful:

• Be sure to come and see us for all of your regularly scheduled appointments. Your wires need to be adjusted every four weeks or so in order to do their job and correct your bite. If you miss appointments, your treatment time could be extended.
  
  
• If you have a loose band or bracket, call us right away. We will make arrangements to see you as soon as possible. Even if you have a regular appointment coming soon, please call us. We can't always fit in the time it takes to do a repair during your regular visit. Loose bands or brackets will definitely prolong treatment.
  
  
• Brush your teeth frequently and thoroughly. Poor brushing can lead to permanent damage to your teeth and gums.
  
  
• Visit your family dentist regularly during your treatment.You want to be sure that your teeth stay healthy and free of decay during your treatment.
  
  
• Avoid excess sugar, and be sure to brush right away after any sugary treats.
  

Foods to avoid with braces

Even with braces, you can eat most of the foods that you normally like. However, there are some things that you should avoid because they can break or damage your braces.

• Gum, sugarless or otherwise
• Sticky foods – caramels, Sugar Daddies™, Sugar Babies™, Starbursts,™ licorice,Tootsie Rolls™, toffee, carameled apples
• Hard foods – nuts, hard candy, popcorn, hard pizza crust, apples or carrots (unless cooked or cut into small pieces), ice, corn on the cob, jerky
• Avoid biting on pens and pencils

Foods you CAN eat with braces

• Meats/poultry – chicken, meatballs, burgers, lunch meats, etc.
• Seafood – tuna, salmon, crab cakes, shrimp, etc.
• Vegetables – lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, mashed potatoes, steamed spinach, beans, etc.
• Dairy – soft cheese, pudding, milk-based drinks
• Breads – soft breads, soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins without nuts
• Grains – pasta, soft-cooked rice
• Fruits – harder fruits cut into pieces, applesauce, bananas, fruit juice
• Treats – ice cream without nuts, milkshakes, Jell-O, soft cake, pie
• In fact, most of your favorite foods

Call 877.885.7753 to schedule an appointment or click here to schedule an appointment online!