Tips for People with Braces
Winnipeg
 Wearing braces is a highly effective way to correct the alignment of your teeth and jaws, giving you a healthy, beautiful, confident smile. For your braces to properly do their job, however, it is essential that you take good care of them. Dr. Tim Dumore & Team is here to help with tips for people with braces.
Eating with bracesWhen wearing braces, there are certain types of foods that should be avoided. Foods that are hard, crunchy, or sticky can dislodge brackets from your teeth and bend, or even break, your wires. These foods include whole apples and pears, raw carrots, corn on the cob, nuts, hard candies, soft caramels, crusty bread, bagels, chewing gum, and similar items. Apples and pears can be eaten if cut into slices. Corn can be eaten off the cob. Opt for softer textured foods, including pasta, steamed vegetables, smoothies, mashed potatoes, and the like.
Foods to avoid with braces| • |
Chewy foods—bagels, licorice
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Crunchy foods—popcorn, chips, ice
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Sticky foods—caramel candies, chewing gum
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Hard foods—nuts, hard candies
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Foods that require biting into—corn on the cob, apples, carrots |
Foods you CAN eat with braces| • |
Dairy—soft cheese, pudding, milk-based drinks
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Breads—soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins without nuts
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Grains—pasta, soft cooked rice
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Meats/poultry—soft cooked chicken, meatballs, lunch meats
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Seafood—tuna, salmon, crab cakes
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Vegetables—mashed potatoes, steamed spinach, beans
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Fruits—applesauce, bananas, fruit juice
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Treats—ice cream without nuts, milkshakes, Jell-O, soft cake |
Braces and Oral HygieneOral hygiene is important all the time, but it is especially important when you wear braces. Not properly taking care of your mouth can quickly lead to cavities and gum disease. Decalcification, or white scars, can also form on the surfaces of your teeth that can mar the appearance of your teeth after your braces are removed.
It is important that you brush and floss your teeth every day. Ideally, in addition to brushing in the morning and before bed, you should brush after every meal. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush with gentle, circular motions. Angle the toothbrush against each bracket to clean around each one. Flossing can be a bit tedious, as you will need to get the floss underneath the wire between each tooth. A floss threader can be very helpful. Along with flossing between each tooth, floss around each bracket and under the wires. Do not forget to floss behind your very back teeth.
Soreness caused by braces and appliancesWhen you first get your braces, you may notice your teeth and mouth feel a little tender or sore. This is perfectly normal, and we promise your mouth will not be sore forever! To relieve the pain, we recommend dissolving one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of lukewarm water. Swish and gargle this solution in your mouth for just a couple of minutes, but do not swallow the salt water.
If the pain is more severe and does not go away after rinsing, you can also try taking a pain reliever. It is not uncommon for your lips, cheeks, and tongue to become irritated for one to two weeks as they toughen and become used to the braces. We would be happy to give you some wax you can put over the braces to lessen the tenderness. If you need some wax, please let us know.
Loose teethIf your teeth begin to feel a little loose, don’t worry; this is normal! Your braces must first loosen your teeth to move them into the right position. Once your teeth have been repositioned, they will no longer be loose.
Loose wires and bandsThe wires and bands on your braces may come loose. If this happens, please contact us as soon as possible so we can check and repair your appliance. If any piece of your appliance comes off, be sure to save it and bring it to the office with you.
You can fix the loose wire temporarily by using the back of a spoon or the eraser end of a pencil to push the wire carefully and gently back into place. If the loose wire is causing irritation to your lips or cheeks, put wax or a wet cotton ball over the broken wire to relieve the pain.
Take care of your appliancesDamaged appliances can increase the length of your treatment process, so be sure to take care of all your appliances. Your teeth and jaw can only move into their correct positions if you wear the rubber bands, headgear, retainer, or other appliances consistently as prescribed by your doctor.
Playing Sports with BracesPlaying certain types of sports comes with the risk of injury. Facial injuries can cause serious harm. Those with braces can be faced with a risk of even more significant injuries. Wearing a mouth guard is essential for not only protecting your mouth but also protecting your braces as well. However, your regular mouth guard will not be effective. Instead, a custom-made mouth guard that is designed to be worn with your braces will provide you with the best protection.
In case of a sports emergency, be sure to check your mouth and appliance immediately for damage. If you notice any loose teeth or appliance damage, please contact our office right away. You can temporarily relieve the discomfort by applying wax or rinsing your mouth with warm salt water.
Dealing with Braces Emergencies
Sometimes, emergencies can happen. If an emergency with your braces does arise, it is important not to panic. Common braces emergencies include loose brackets and wires, lost ligatures, protruding wires, and even general soreness. When your braces are first placed, and after each adjustment, your mouth may become sore. You might even notice that your teeth begin to feel loose. This is because the wires are working to realign your teeth. Soreness should dissipate after a few days. Over the counter pain, relievers can also help. For other types of emergencies, call our office right away. We can advise you on the best course of action to take and what you can do until we can get you scheduled for an appointment. We will do our best to fit you in as soon as possible so as not to delay the progress of your treatment.
If you have any questions or concerns about your braces, please call Dr. Tim Dumore & Team at 204-832-3910 today.
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2541 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba 
