For the first few days, stick to soft foods, avoiding tough meat, hard breads, and raw vegetables. Foods to avoid in the future include the following:
- Chewy Foods: Such as breads, pizza dough, and beef jerky
- Crunchy Foods: Such as popcorn and ice
- Sticky Foods: Such as caramels, taffy, and Skittles
- Gum of any kind
- Hard Foods: Hard fruits — such as apples — unless they are cut very thin, raw veggies, hard pretzels, crackers, and chips
- Soda: The acid in soda will cause decalcification, making it more difficult for your brackets to stay put.
Soreness
During the first week after your braces are in place and routine adjustments are complete, you will likely feel some soreness or discomfort. You may take acetaminophen or other non-aspirin pain relievers while you adjust to your new braces. A warm wash cloth or heating pad may reduce the soreness in your jaws.
Loosening of Teeth
Experiencing loose teeth is both common and necessary in orthodontic treatment. Your teeth must loosen before they can move into the correct position. Once they are in the correct position, they will again become firm.
Follow the Plan
To successfully complete treatment, we must work together. The teeth and jaws can only move toward their corrected positions if you consistently wear the rubber bands or other appliances as prescribed. Damaged appliances lengthen the treatment time.
Brushing
It's more important than ever to brush 3 to 4 times a day when you have braces. If you don't, you may need more frequent visits for professional cleaning. For tips on brushing and flossing with braces, click here.
How Do I Schedule a Consultation?
Please call 301-220-1900 today to schedule your initial consultation!The general dental and orthodontic services we offer at University Centre Dental Associates have improved the lives of people from in and around Washington, DC, including residents in Greenbelt, MD, and Bowie, MD, as well as Prince George’s County, Montgomery County, and Anne Arundel County. Whether you are an adult, a child, or a teenager, our knowledgeable staff is committed to helping you achieve the smile you deserve. Please call 301-220-1900 today to schedule your initial consultation!