Life With Braces: What To Expect

Your teeth are part of your body and something you are used to. When you suddenly get braces attached to your teeth, it can throw you for a loop. Activities that you once took for granted, such as being able to eat what you want, may now require a little forethought. You will also have a new set of rules in terms of caring for your teeth and gums.  Here are some tips on what to expect during your “life with braces.” Just remember that orthodontic treatment is a temporary sacrifice that can provide years of a straight, beautiful smile.

Eating With Braces

There are certain menu items that you’ll need to stay away from if you have braces. These recommendations are to protect your brackets and wires so that your treatment can be faster and more effective. In general, you’ll need to avoid the following:

• Chewy foods — raisins, gummies, licorice
• Crunchy foods — popcorn, chips, ice
• Sticky foods — caramel candies, taffy, chewing gum
• Hard foods — nuts, hard candies
• Foods that require biting into — corn on the cob, apples, carrots

What’s Normal and What’s Not

During orthodontic treatment, your teeth may feel different at times. If you notice that your teeth feel loose, this is normal. This is only an indication that your braces are working. Your teeth must be loosened before they can move into proper position.

After an appointment, you will also experience soreness. Don’t worry; this is temporary. Stick to soft foods for the rest of the day and gargle with saltwater or take a pain reliever to ease your discomfort. If your gums, cheek or lips get irritated, ask for some wax to place over your brackets. Wax is typically not needed after the first couple of weeks as your lips and cheeks “toughen up.”

If you notice a loose bands or wires, however, this is not normal. Simply call our office and we will get you in to repair your braces. If a piece of your braces comes off completely, make sure to bring it with you to your appointment.

Playing Sports

Having braces doesn’t mean you have to sit on the sidelines. You can absolutely continue playing sports with braces. However, in order to properly protect your smile on the playing field, invest in a custom athletic mouth guard. We can design your mouth guard to fit comfortably over your orthodontic appliances.

If you are new to braces, we know there’s a lot to take in. At Walton Orthodontics, we want to make your transition as smooth and comfortable as possible. If you have questions about what you can or can’t do with braces, please don’t hesitate to ask. Always keep in mind that a straighter, healthier and more confident smile awaits!

Walton Orthodontics
2609 Peachtree Pkwy, #C
Suwanee, GA 30024
(770) 663-0955