Types of Braces

• Dairy: Soft cheese, pudding, milk-based drinks
• Breads: Soft tortillas, pancakes, and muffins without nuts
• Grains: Pasta, soft-cooked rice
• Meats/Poultry: Soft-cooked chicken, meatballs, lunch meats
• Seafood: Tuna, salmon, crab cakes
• Vegetables: Mashed potatoes, steamed spinach, beans
• Fruits: Applesauce, bananas, fruit juice
• Treats: Ice cream without nuts, milkshakes, Jell-O, soft cake

These braces-friendly foods are soft and less likely to damage your appliances. They allow you to enjoy a varied diet while keeping your braces in good shape.

• Cut Food into Small Pieces: This makes it easier to chew and reduces the risk of damaging your braces.
• Chew Slowly and Carefully: Be mindful of how you chew to avoid putting too much pressure on your braces.
• Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps keep your mouth clean and can prevent food from getting stuck in your braces.

It's common to experience some discomfort when you first get your braces or after adjustments. Your teeth and mouth may feel tender or sore, but this is completely normal and temporary. Here are some tips to help alleviate the soreness:

• Saltwater Rinse: Dissolve one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of lukewarm water. Swish this solution in your mouth for a couple of minutes, but do not swallow it. This can help soothe the irritation.
• Pain Relievers: If the soreness persists and is more severe, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help manage the discomfort.
• Orthodontic Wax: It's not uncommon for your lips, cheeks, and tongue to become irritated for the first week or two as they adjust to the braces. We can provide orthodontic wax to cover the brackets and reduce their tenderness. Please let us know if you need some wax.

Loose Teeth

Feeling like your teeth are a bit loose can be unsettling, but it's a normal part of the process. Your braces need to loosen your teeth slightly to move them into their correct positions. Once your teeth have shifted to their new locations, they will stabilize and no longer feel loose.

Loose Wires and Bands

Sometimes, the wires and bands on your braces may come loose. If this happens, please contact our office as soon as possible so we can repair your appliance. If a piece of your appliance comes off, save it and bring it to your appointment.

Proper care of your orthodontic appliances is crucial to ensuring that your treatment progresses as planned. Damaged appliances can prolong the treatment process, so it's important to follow these guidelines:

Consistent Use of Appliances

Your orthodontic treatment plan may include various appliances like rubber bands, headgear, or retainers. To ensure your teeth and jaw move into their correct positions, it's essential to use these appliances exactly as prescribed by Dr. Zaidi. Inconsistent use can delay your treatment and affect the final results.

• Rubber Bands: Wear them as instructed to help with bite correction.
• Headgear: Follow the specific instructions for how long to wear it each day.
• Retainers: Post-treatment retainers are crucial to maintaining the new position of your teeth.

Handling and Cleaning Your Braces

Taking care of your braces involves regular cleaning and handling them with care to prevent damage.

• Brush your teeth after every meal and floss daily to keep your braces clean and free of food particles.
• Avoid hard and sticky foods that can break or damage your braces. Stick to the recommended foods to avoid complications.
• Attend all scheduled appointments for adjustments and to check on the progress of your treatment.

Playing Sports with Braces

If you’re an athlete, you’ll be glad to know that you can continue to play sports while wearing braces. However, it’s important to take some precautions to protect your teeth and orthodontic appliances.

Wearing a Mouthguard

We highly recommend wearing a mouthguard during any physical activity to protect your teeth and braces from potential injury. Mouthguards provide a cushion that helps prevent damage from impacts to the mouth.

Handling Sports Emergencies

Accidents can happen, and it’s important to know what to do if you experience any issues with your braces while playing sports.

• After any impact on your mouth, check your braces and teeth for any damage.
• If you notice any loose teeth, broken brackets, or bent wires, contact our office right away to schedule a repair appointment.
• In case of discomfort, you can apply orthodontic wax to any sharp areas or rinse your mouth with warm saltwater to soothe irritation.

In the meantime, you can temporarily fix a loose wire by using the back of a spoon or the eraser end of a pencil to gently push the wire back into place. If the loose wire is causing irritation to your lips or cheeks, place a piece of orthodontic wax or a wet cotton ball over the wire to relieve the discomfort.

Additional Tips

• Rinsing with Warm Saltwater: This can help reduce irritation and keep your mouth clean.
• Soft Foods: Stick to soft foods that are easy to chew, especially during the first few days after getting braces or adjustments.
• Good Oral Hygiene: Keeping your teeth and braces clean can help prevent additional discomfort and irritation.

If you experience any issues or have concerns about your braces, don’t hesitate to reach out to our office. We're here to support you throughout your orthodontic treatment and ensure you're as comfortable as possible.