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Life with Braces

You and Your Braces | Life with Braces
Ortho Glossary | First Aid | FAQ | Patient Survey

Your First Day in Braces

• Initially your braces will feel like they stick out. This is normal - as your lips become accustomed to them and your tooth alignment improves, you'll hardly notice them.
• Although the brackets are rounded and smooth, your lips and cheeks may get sore from moving around them. Rinsing 6 to 12 times per day with salt water is the best way to prevent and relieve the soreness.
• If a sore develops on your cheek, put a small amount of wax or silicone ear plug over the offending brace until the cheek tissue has toughened. Both materials are available at any drugstore. And be sure to continue the salt water rinses.
• Discomfort during the first few days is common. It's caused from the new pressure being placed on the teeth and will dissipate within a week. Whatever you would normally take for a headache will help considerably - ibuprofen is best.
• If possible, begin the pain reliever before the soreness begins and continue it every few hours (per the manufacturer's recommendations).

Your Part in Treatment

You have a great deal of influence on the outcome of your treatment! We provide the game plan, the skilled staff and the devices to straighten your teeth. Here's what you can do.

• Clean your teeth and braces thoroughly every day, brushing and flossing more diligently than you ever did before. This will prevent bad breath and permanent marks on your teeth.
• Keep your appointments. Your teeth will move according to your biological clock. We arrange your appointments to coincide with that clock. To avoid lengthened treatment time, don't miss any (not even one!).
• Report broken or damaged appliances immediately. Otherwise, your braces can't do their work! Even if you have an appointment the next day or the same day, let us know so we can be prepared.
• Wear elastics as Dr. Pearson has prescribed. They're an important element in some treatments; wearing them will ensure a quick and successful journey to a beautiful smile!

Eating with Braces

Although the adhesive used to attach your braces to your teeth will withstand the forces of eating, they can become broken or dislodged with certain foods. And each time you break or loosen something, your treatment time is delayed. Yikes! Use these food guidelines to keep your treatment on course.

Avoid these foods completely. In other words, these are the biggest no-no's around:

• Hard candy, like Life Savers, Sweet Tarts, Jolly Ranchers, and suckers.
• Sticky candy, like Sugar Daddy, Starburst, Skittles, taffy and red rope vines.
• Popcorn, pretzels nuts and sunflower seeds.
• Hard chips, like Doritos, corn chips, hard shell tacos and tostadas.
• Jerky and Slim Jims.
• Bagels and hard crust breads.
• Pens, pencils, fingers and ice.

How you eat can also have a negative effect. Here are some suggestions:

• Cut food into small, bite-sized pieces, especially apples.
• Shred carrots, cut corn off the cob and meat off the bone.
• Cut pizza into bite-sized pieces.

Finally, "food" for thought. Your braces are on the outside, or cheek side, of your mouth. Keeping food on the inside of your mouth will keep it away from braces and keep your braces in working condition.

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