How do you maintain your braces if they are not in place? First, you must learn how to properly safeguard and care for your braces during your orthodontic treatment.

Do not worry; you will quickly return to consuming popcorn and potato chips! Nonetheless, until you’re able to indulge in some of your favorite treats, you’ll want to avoid eating anything that may hurt your new equipment.

• Hard foods: nuts, hard candies
• Crunchy foods: chips, popcorn, ice
• Sticky foods: chewing gum, caramel candies,
• Foods that need biting into corn on the apples, cob, carrots
• Chewy foods: licorice, bagels

• Seafood: salmon, tuna, crab cakes
• Dairy: pudding, soft cheese, milk-based drinks
• Treats: milkshakes, Jell-O, ice cream without nuts, soft cake
• Meats/poultry: meatballs: soft cooked chicken, lunch meats
• Grains: soft cooked rice, pasta
• Bread: pancakes, soft tortillas, muffins without nuts
• Fruits: bananas, fruit juice, applesauce
• Vegetables: steamed spinach, mashed potatoes, beans

Once you initially receive braces, you may experience discomfort or soreness in your teeth and mouth. This is entirely natural, and we tell you that your mouth will not remain uncomfortable for the foreseeable future! We recommend dissolving one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of hot water to alleviate the discomfort. Swish and gargle with this solution (do not swallow the saltwater).

If the ache is severe and does not subside after rinsing, you might consider taking a pain reliever. Your lips, cheeks, and tongue may be uncomfortable for one to two weeks while they toughen and acclimatize to the braces. We’d be pleased to give you some wax to place on top of your braces to help with the soreness. Please let us know if you require wax.

Don’t panic if your teeth start to feel loose; this is quite natural! Your braces must initially be removed in order to realign your teeth. Your teeth will no longer be loose after they have been repositioned.

The wires and bands of your braces may get detached. Kindly call us immediately if this happens so we can check and repair your equipment. If a component of your appliance becomes detached, keep it and bring it to the office.

Using the back of a spoon or the eraser end of a pencil, gently press the loose wire back into place. If the loose wire is stinging your lips or cheeks, use wax or a wet cotton ball on it to alleviate the pain.

Damaged appliances might increase the duration of your treatment, so be careful to take care of all of your appliances. Your teeth and jaw can only move into their appropriate positions if you use the rubber bands, headgear, retainer, or other equipment recommended by your dentist.

You may still engage in sports while undergoing orthodontic treatment! However, if you engage in sports, it is suggested that you wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth and appliance. Inform your doctor if you want assistance in locating the proper mouthguard to provide the optimum protection.

In the case of a sports emergency, ensure that you immediately inspect your mouth and equipment for damage. Kindly call our office immediately if you discover any loose teeth or damage to your appliance. Using wax or washing your mouth with warm salt water will help temporarily alleviate discomfort.

Contact Esteem Braces and Aligners in North Miami Beach, FL, at (786) 744-1570 for orthodontic treatment. Reach out to us if you need consultation on the use of braces and schedule an appointment with our orthodontist in North Miami Beach, FL.