At Wazio Orthodontics, we know your first week in braces is going to be a little tough, so we have come up with a few tips to help you feel more comfortable.
Tip #1: Avoiding Sticky and Hard Foods
You don’t want to do anything that could cause your braces harm and sticky or hard foods can break a bracket or wire. Please don’t eat nuts, crisp taco shells, whole apples and carrots (cut them into pieces first), hard French bread crust and rolls, spareribs, corn on the cob, popcorn, taffy, caramels, or sticky candy of any sort. These foods can cause breakage of the brackets and wires. Even though it may seem like all of your favorite foods are the foods that are sticky and hard, there are plenty of great tasting foods out there that will keep your braces safe.
Tip #2: Chew Your Food Carefully.
Taking a large bite of food with your front teeth can leave your braces vulnerable to damage, and damaging your braces means you could end up spending more time wearing them. Be sure to cut large foods into smaller pieces and use your back teeth to chew. We suggest eating softer foods the first few days while your mouth and teeth adjust to your new braces. Stick to pasta, soft veggies, pudding, soup, yogurt, etc. After three or four days, the soreness will start to go away, and you can graduate to harder foods.
Tip #3: Correct Bad Habits.
It’s important to avoid the habits such as Biting your nails, Chewing on ice, Biting or chewing pen caps and other objects, Chewing gum, and Poking or picking your braces and teeth. Not only are these habits not the greatest when you’re not wearing braces, but they also cause your teeth to constantly be chewing, wearing them down faster and putting a large amount of stress on your front teeth. Braces already put pressure on your teeth, and these chewing and biting habits add unnecessary pressure, further stressing your teeth and weakening roots.
Tip #4: Smooth Things Over.
The brackets we use at Wazio Orthodontics are designed to be gentle on your mouth, but they can cause irritation while you’re still getting used to them. But don’t worry…the soreness from your braces won’t last long. When you first get your braces, pay special attention to your tongue, lips, and inside of your cheeks. To protect the inside of your mouth, place wax on the bracket or wire. Minor irritations will heal much more quickly if you apply Zylactin or Orabase according to the manufacturer's directions. You can purchase these products over the counter at most pharmacies and convenience stores. If you’re experiencing significant irritation, we suggest rinsing with a warm saltwater solution for about 30 seconds, several times a day. Add half a teaspoon of table salt to one cup of warm water. The salt water will help relieve pain and allow sores areas to heal faster.
Tip #5: Brush and Floss Regularly.
Cleaning your braces isn’t difficult, but it is different from what you’re probably used to. Braces do require additional cleaning and care. Even if you think you’ve cleaned everything out, some sticky or chewy foods can become lodged in the brackets leading to cavities or plaque.
Always brush your teeth immediately after eating to avoid food building up in your braces. Make sure to brush your braces as carefully as you would the crevices of your teeth. The metal should be shiny – not dull. If you don’t have access to a sink or toothbrush, rinse your mouth out with some water or mouthwash.
Make a habit of flossing every night before bed. We know that it can be a pain to floss around your braces. But flossing is the best way to prevent gum disease and other oral health problems. If you find flossing with braces difficult, don’t give up on it. There are tools that can help. Ask us about Floss Threaders. Floss Threaders make flossing with braces much easier.
Each person adapts to the discomfort of braces differently but following these tips will make your journey to straight teeth much more enjoyable. When all is said and done, you will smile at yourself in the mirror, remembering your braces fondly and you'll know that it was totally worth all the hard work.
For more tips and tricks on how to quickly and comfortably adjust to your new braces, visit the Wazio Orthodontics Website at or give us a call…our friendly team members are here to help.