Yes, there is life with braces! It may take a week or two to get used to them but pretty soon you’ll forget they are there most of the time.
There are a few important ‘dos and don’ts’ to remember to make sure they do their job and that your mouth stays healthy.
Brush teeth extra carefully
Proper brushing is more important than ever when you have braces because food and plaque left around them will cause tooth decay and swollen gums. After every meal, you must brush with an electric tooth brush, a ‘Christmas tree’ brush and fluoride toothpaste. After brushing, check in the mirror to see there is no food left in the braces. Brush again if there is.
Use mouth rinses
A daily fluoride mouth rinse will help clean your mouth and keep your teeth strong.
Think before you eat
You can eat most things with your braces but start with soft foods in the first week. Then you can eat normally but be aware of these tough challenges to avoid:
- The worst things are hard, sticky sweets like toffees, Minties and Red Skins.
- Biting into large, tough objects can damage your braces – things like apples, raw carrots and crusty rolls need to be cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Don’t gnaw meat on the bone or corn on the cob.
- Avoid hard things you can’t cut into smaller pieces - like ice cubes and pork crackling.
Drink smart
The high sugars and acids in soft drinks, juices, sports drinks, energy drinks and flavoured milks are not great for your teeth at any time and will cling around your braces. Only drink them occasionally and brush afterwards if you can.
Manage discomfort
It is normal to feel some discomfort for the first few days after fitting and adjustments as your teeth begin to move. Take Panadol or Nurofen if you need to. It is also possible that braces will irritate your cheeks or lips and make you more likely to get mouth ulcers. To help prevent this, place a small piece of wax on the bracket that is rubbing as soon as you notice any irritation.
Report breakages
Even if you are careful with your braces, they can occasionally break or become loose. Don’t panic – but do make an appointment to get them fixed as soon as you can so your treatment stays on track.
See your dentist
Orthodontics doesn’t replace ordinary dental care so make sure you continue to see your dentist for regular check-ups.
