Foods to Avoid

Braces are fragile even though they are made of metal.  Certain foods can cause the braces to break away from the teeth.  Each time a bracket comes loose due to eating the wrong foods, treatment can be extended significantly. Remember, sticky, chewy, and hard foods can break your braces and other appliances in your mouth.

Absolutely NO:

GUM—sugarless or otherwise • Ice • Airheads • Bagels • Blow Pops • Caramels • Caramelized apples • Carrots or Apples (unless cut into pieces or cooked) • Corn on the Cob • Doritos or other chips • Gummy Bears • Hard Candy • Hard pizza crust • Hard pretzels • Jolly Ranchers • Licorice • Milk Duds • Now & Laters • Nuts • Popcorn • Skittles • Sugar Daddies or Sugar Babies • Sweet Tarts • Toffee • Tootsie Rolls

AVOID CHEWING ON PENS, PENCILS, AND FINGERNAILS

Eat Much Less Drink and Eat Much Less:

Candy • Ice Cream • Cookies • Cake • Pie • Foods with sugar • Soda • All Drinks with Sugar

PROBLEMS and SOLUTIONS

If you have any problems with breakage of brackets or bands, call our office as soon as possible so that we can schedule an appointment for a repair.  Do not wait until your next appointment.  Also, please call our office—do not come directly to the office.  By calling us, you will allow us to determine the best time to see you.  This way you will not be waiting unnecessarily in the office.

If you are having any pain or problem that is hurting you and it is after hours, call our office to get our emergency number.

Solutions to the most common orthodontic problems:

You may be able to solve the problem with your braces temporarily until you are able to schedule a repair with our office:

Loose brackets or bands: Call to schedule a repair appointment.  If the bracket or band is still attached to the wire, leave it in place.  If it is uncomfortable try covering it with wax.  If it comes out completely, place the band or bracket in a Ziploc bag and bring it with you to your next appointment.

Loose or poking wire:  If a wire comes out of the tube, try to place it back into the tube with tweezers.   If unsuccessful, clip the wire with fingernail clippers behind the last tooth to which it is securely fastened.  If there is any discomfort, place wax on it and call the office for an appointment.

Loss of spacers:  It is not unusual to lose a spacer.  If you do lose one, call our office to have us determine if it needs to be replaced.

Loss of tiewire or elastic tie:  Notify us at your next appointment.

Soreness:  During the first week after your braces are placed, and then after routine adjustments, you may feel some discomfort or soreness.  You may take acetaminophen or other non-aspirin pain relievers while your mouth is sore.  You may have some irritation of your lips, inside of your cheeks, or your tongue.  Place wax over the braces that are causing the irritation.  You may also want to rinse with warm salt water.