Preparing for braces can be a fun and exciting experience. It can also leave you feeling a bit uncertain about what to expect. Your teeth need to move, and you understand how it’s going to happen, but what about living life with these new appliances? What is necessary to know to ensure they don’t break? How can you manage any discomfort they might cause? A local orthodontist is here to share a few tips to make getting through your first week with braces much easier.
What to Eat vs. What Not to Eat
As soon as your braces are put on by your orthodontist, you’ll wonder how in the world are you supposed to eat with these appliances. The metal brackets and wires may be a bit intimidating as you try to bite down on your favorite burger or eat a forkful of spaghetti, but before you dig into any food item, you should know what to eat and what to avoid during your first week.
When choosing foods to enjoy during your first week in braces, it’s best to stick to softer ones such as:
- Oatmeal
- Yogurt
- Soup
- Mashed potatoes
- Applesauce
- Bananas
- Rice
- Cheese
- Smoothies
- Scrambled eggs
These will help to minimize any discomfort you might feel in the first few days of treatment. Biting down on hard, crunchy foods will likely be a bit uncomfortable and may damage or break your braces.
With that said, you should try to avoid the following foods to keep pain to a minimum and avoid damaging your new appliances:
- Nuts
- Popcorn
- Toasted Bread/Bagels
- Hard pretzels
- Corn on the cob
- Candy
- Bubble Gum
- Suckers
- Caramel
Caring For Your Smile
Maintaining optimal oral hygiene is a must, so you’ll need to make sure that you brush after every meal, as this will ensure that all food particles are out of your mouth. You may need to buy an interproximal brush to get underneath the brackets and in between the wires. You’ll also need to floss once per day to eliminate any food that may be stuck between your teeth and to prevent gum disease and cavities.
Make sure to keep up with your oral hygiene routine morning and night to avoid serious oral health problems down the road.
You should also continue to see your dentist every six months for cleanings and exams as you would without braces on your teeth.
Managing Discomfort
One of the most common question orthodontists receive is how to manage discomfort associated with tooth movement. It’s no secret that braces can cause discomfort in the beginning, which is why it’s important that you leave the orthodontist’s office prepared. This means that you should have dental wax to cover protruding brackets that rub against your lips, cheeks and tongue. You can use over-the-counter pain relievers (Tylenol/acetaminophen is preferred) to reduce discomfort, and an ice pack to also help with the pain.
You can also rinse with warm salt water for 30 seconds, a couple times each day, to help with any soft tissue healing and soreness.
Keeping these tips in mind will ensure that your first week is a success. However, don’t be afraid to reach out to your orthodontist should need additional help.
About the Author
Dr. Ben Youel is a trusted orthodontist in Grayslake who leads an excellent team of staff that is dedicated to your and your family’s dental health. After graduating from the University of Illinois at Chicago with his Doctor of Dental Surgery, he completed a 12-month hospital-based residency and practiced as a general dentist for a few years before eventually completing a 3-year residency in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics. He earned his specialist credentials as an orthodontist as well as a Master of Science in oral sciences. If you need help straightening your teeth or realigning your bite, contact us at (847) 548-4330 or info@grayslakeortho.com.
