Living with braces

Living with Braces

When you first get your new braces, your teeth may be slightly sensitive. This only lasts a few days, and means your braces are working. Because you have something new on your teeth, you’ll also need a few days to get used to talking and eating. Soon, though, they won’t really impact your day-to-day life.

Cleaning your teeth.

It may seem like a challenge, but once you get the hang of it, brushing and flossing with your braces will become second nature. We’ll show you how when you first get your braces.

Your brackets and wires can trap food and plaque, so you’ll want to brush in the morning, after eating, and before bed. If you forgot your toothbrush, rinse your mouth really well and then brush as soon as you can.

Eating with braces.

When you first get your braces of have just had an adjustment, your teeth may be a bit sensitive, so you may want to stick with soft foods and avoid food or drinks that are super-hot or super-cold. Otherwise, you can eat and drink what you love normally.

However, certain foods can damage your braces and make cleaning more complicated. Things you would tear into with your front teeth should be broken up into smaller pieces and chewed with your back teeth. Here are some things to avoid:

Hard foods, like certain chips, nuts, or hard candies. Avoid pizza crust and unpopped popcorn. Fruits and vegetables like apples and carrots are a problem, but you can eat corn if it’s off the cob.

Chewy foods like tough cuts of meat or beef jerky can damage your braces. Also avoid hard, chewy bagels and rolls.

Sweets like chewing gum, Sour Patch Kids, Starburst, and other sticky foods can get trapped in and damage your braces.

braces FAQ

do braces hurt?

When you first get your braces or have just had an adjustment, you may have some discomfort. That’s usually temporary. If needed, you can take what you would normally take for a headache.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU PUT MY BRACES ON?

First, we’ll prime the surface of your teeth for our special bracket glue. The doctor will attach a bracket to each tooth, and then thread an archwire through each bracket. It’s painless, with no needles, and doesn’t take long.

WHAT IF THEY’RE RUBBING MY CHEEKS?

Braces take getting used to. We’ll teach you how to use our special orthodontic wax to buffer your braces from your cheeks. Over-the-counter products like Orabase can help. Soon, though, your cheeks will get used to your braces.

HOW OFTEN WILL I NEED AN ADJUSTMENT?

We’ll need to see you around every eight to 10 weeks for an evaluation or possible adjustment. Remember to maintain your appointments with your general dentist for regular cleanings!

WHAT CAN I EAT?

When you first get braces, you may want to stick with soft foods and avoid things that are super-hot or super-cold. It’s okay to chew sugar-free gum, but avoid really chewy foods (like tough steaks), crunchy fruits or vegetable (apples and raw carrots), and super-sticky foods (caramels, Skittles).

WILL ABOUT SPORTS?

Sure! For contact sports, it’s going to be important that you wear a mouthguard, both for your braces and your lips and gums! We’ll be happy to give you mouthguard or recommend a good brand.

HOW DO I CLEAN THEM?

We’ll teach you how to care for your teeth when you get your braces. You’ll want to have a good schedule for brushing and flossing, especially after meals! If you’ve forgotten your toothbrush, rinse as well as you can until you can brush.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?

Each patient is different, and certain cases are more complex than others. We use the latest tools and technologies to help you get the quickest results. In most cases, that takes around 18 months.

AM I TOO OLD FOR BRACES?

You’re never too old to improve your smile! The best time for your first exam is around age 7. But many of our patients are over 18, and nearly half are over 50!

HOW DO YOU REMOVE THEM?

First of all, it’s perfectly painless. Your doctor will use a special tool to loosen and remove the brackets and wires. Next, they’ll polish your teeth. Then we’ll sit back and let you enjoy your new smile.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

When you have your free consultation, we’ll talk about a personalized treatment plan. The cost will depend on the complexity of your case and the treatment option you choose. We’ll discuss your insurance coverage and explain our flexible financing plans. The cost will be all-inclusive, including treatment, adjustments, and retainers, and we find a way to fit most budgets.