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 Eating
with Braces
What can you eat? Let's talk about what you shouldn't
eat! If you've been wanting to drop a few pounds, the
first week wearing braces is just your chance! For the
first day or so, stick to soft foods.
Avoid tough meats, hard breads, and raw vegetables.
Before long, you'll be able to bite a cucumber again.
But you'll need to protect your orthodontic appliances
when you eat for as long as you're wearing braces.
Foods to Avoid
- Chewy foods: bagels, hard rolls, licorice
- Crunchy foods: popcorn, ice, chips
- Sticky foods: caramels, gum
- Hard foods: nuts, candy
- Foods you have to bite into: corn on the cob, apples,
carrots
- Chewing on hard things (for example, pens, pencils
or fingernails) can damage the braces. Damaged braces
will cause treatment to take longer.
General Soreness
When you get your braces on, you may feel general soreness
in your mouth and teeth may be tender to biting pressures
for three to five days. This can be relieved by rinsing
your mouth with a warm salt water mouthwash.
Dissolve one teaspoonful of salt in 8 ounces of warm
water, and rinse your mouth vigorously. If the tenderness
is severe, take aspirin or whatever you normally take
for headache or similar pain.
The lips, cheeks and tongue may also become irritated
for one to two weeks as they toughen and become accustomed
to the surface of the braces. You can put wax on the
braces to lessen this. We'll show you how!
Loosening of Teeth
This is to be expected throughout treatment. Don't worry!
It's normal. Teeth must loosen first so they can be
moved. The teeth will again become rigidly fixed in
their new – corrected – positions.
Care of Appliances
To successfully complete the treatment plan, the patient
must work together with the orthodontist. The teeth
and jaws can only move toward their corrected positions
if the patient consistently wears the rubber bands,
headgear or other appliances as prescribed. Damaged
appliances lengthen the treatment time.
Brushing
It's more important than ever to brush and floss regularly
when you have braces, so the teeth and gums are healthy
after orthodontic treatment. Patients who do not keep
their teeth clean may require more frequent visits to
the dentist for a professional cleaning. Adults who
have a history of gum disease should also see a periodontist
during orthodontic treatment.
Retainer Instructions
- Wear your retainers full time, until the doctor
instructs otherwise.
- Take your retainers out when eating... and always
put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are
lost in school lunch rooms or restaurants.)
- Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush
and toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water. Brushing
retainers removes the plaque, and eliminates odors.
Efferdent or other orthodontic appliance cleaners
can be used, but do not take the place of brushing.
- When retainers are not in your mouth they should
ALWAYS be in a retainer case. Pets love to chew on
them!
- Initially, you may find it difficult to speak. Practice
speaking, reading, or singing out loud to get used
to them faster.
- Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care.
If retainers are lost or broken call us immediately.
- If you have any questions or concerns about your
retainers, or your retainers need adjusting, call
us. Do not try to adjust them yourself.
- Always bring your retainers to your appointments.
- Retainer replacement is expensive... with proper
care they will last for years!
- Remove retainers when swimming.
- Keep retainers away from hot water, hot car dashboards,
pockets, the washing machine, and napkins.
Removable Expander Instructions
- Wear your expander all the time. That means all
day, during meals, and while sleeping.
- Remove your expander only to brush your teeth. Brush
your expander at least twice a day with a toothbrush
and toothpaste.
Fixed Expander Instructions
- Turn your expansion screws as instructed. Insert
the key into the hole and turn toward the arrow.
- If you are unable to keep your scheduled appointment,
stop turning the expander.
Athletics
If you play sports, it's important that you consult
us for special precautions. A protective mouthguard
is advised for playing contact sports. In case of any
accident involving the face, check your mouth and the
appliances immediately.
If teeth are loosened or the appliances damaged, phone
at once for an appointment. In the meantime, treat your
discomfort as you would treat any general soreness.
Loose Wire or Band
Don't be alarmed if a wire or band comes loose. This
happens occasionally. If wire protrudes and is irritating,
use a blunt instrument (back of spoon or the eraser
end of a pencil) and carefully, gently push the irritating
wire under the archwire. Simply get it out of the way.
If irritation to the lips or mouth continues, place
wax or wet cotton on the wire to reduce the annoyance.
Call our office as soon as possible for an appointment
to check and repair the appliances. If any piece comes
off, save it and bring it with you to the office.
Emergency Care
As a general rule, an emergency appointment may be made
when there is severe pain, a loose band, a broken wire
or something sticking out that you can't take care of.
It's important to know the names of the parts of your
appliances. It will help, when you phone the office,
to be able to identify what part is broken or out of
place. |
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Jeremy McKinney, Orthodontist l
Tuscaloosa, Jasper, Fayette, Winfield l 1.866.393.3964
401 Towncenter Blvd, Suite A l Tuscaloosa, AL 35406 l
205.345.5524 l
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