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How to Eat Food With New or Tightened Braces
How to Eat Food With New or Tightened Braces
Dr. Courtney Ray Mittelmark Board Certified Orthodontist
Dr. Michael Luther Orthodontist
Part 1 Altering Your Diet Part 1 Altering Your Diet
1. Choose Soft Foods2. Avoid Hard Foods3. Cut Out Sticky Foods
1. Choose Soft Foods1. Choose Soft Foods
Soft, nonchewy foods are the best food for braces. Not only are they less likely to damage your braces, they are also less likely to cause pain on sensitive teeth. Some foods like hard vegetables can still be eaten, but they should be steamed until they are soft and easy to bite.
2. Avoid Hard Foods2. Avoid Hard Foods
Hard foods can crack your braces, and may cause mild to severe pain in the days following an installation or adjustment of your braces. Avoid anything that is hard or crunchy, especially following an orthodontic appointment.
3. Cut Out Sticky Foods3. Cut Out Sticky Foods
Sticky foods are bad for your braces, and may cause pain if you try to chew them with new braces. Candy and gum are the worst sticky foods, and should be avoided with braces.
Part 2 Changing How You EatPart 2 Changing How You Eat
1. Cut Food into Small Pieces2. Chew With Your Back Teeth3. Eat Slowly
1. Cut Food into Small Pieces1. Cut Food into Small Pieces
One of the biggest risks that could damage the brackets on your braces comes from how you eat food. Biting into foods the way you're used to from a lifetime of eating could cause brackets to come off your teeth or break apart. One way to avoid this is by cutting your food into smaller pieces.
2. Chew With Your Back Teeth 2. Chew With Your Back Teeth
Most people don't think too much about which teeth they use to bite and chew their food. But when you've recently had braces put on or adjusted, your teeth may be extra sensitive.
3. Eat Slowly3. Eat Slowly
Though you may be very hungry, especially if your teeth were too sore to eat on the first day of having braces, it's important to eat slowly. Eating too quickly could cause you to forget how to eat (small bites, chewed with your back teeth); you may also risk biting into seeds, pits, or bones.
Part 3 Managing Your PainPart 3 Managing Your Pain
1. Rinse With Saline2. Use Wax on Sharp Wires3. Take Medication
1. Rinse With Saline
Your teeth, gums, lips, tongue, and cheeks may be sore for several days after having braces installed or adjusted. This is normal, and can be managed in a number of ways.
2. Use Wax On Sharp Wires
Many people with braces experience pain as the lips, cheeks, and tongue become used to brushing against the metal braces. Other braces wearers may experience a stray poking wire from time to time.
3. Take Medication
If you are experiencing significant pain after having your braces installed or adjusted, you may want to consider taking medication to help manage the pain. Common overthecounter medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) are helpful when it comes to relieving pain.
Part 4 Caring for Your Teeth
1. Floss Regularly2. Brush Your Teeth After Each Meal3. Wear Rubber Bands as Instructed4. Follow Your Appointment Schedule
1. Floss Regularly
It may be difficult to floss with braces, but it's more important than ever when you're wearing braces. Food can get caught between your teeth or around your brackets, causing discomfort and potentially increasing the risk of infection.
2. Brush Your Teeth After Each Meal
Brushing is important when you have braces, and may be particularly useful when your braces are new or recentlytightened. Food debris can be painful on tender teeth and gums, and brushing after each meal and before bed can help remove that debris.
3. Wear Rubber Bands as Instructed
Rubber bands are often recommended to help correct a misalignment between teeth. The braces themselves will help straighten teeth, but if you have a misalignment (such as an overbite or underbite), your orthodontist may recommend that you wear special orthodontic rubber bands.
4. Follow Your Appointment Schedule
Your orthodontist will most likely schedule monthly checkups and tightenings. It's important to follow the schedule your orthodontist recommends to ensure that your braces are working and that your teeth are in good shape.
Playa Vista Orthodontics uses the latest techniques and technology to create healthy, beautiful and straight smiles for each and every patient. Playa Vista Orthodontics provides premium braces and Invisalign treatment to patients in Westchester, Playa del Rey, Marina del Rey, El Segundo, Inglewood, Culver City, Venice and all surrounding areas. Dr. Courtney Ray Mittelmark and her staff are extremely friendly and knowledgeable, and they enjoy creating healthy, beautiful, straight smiles in a pleasant, comfortable environment. At Playa Vista Orthodontics, they use the latest technology and techniques to deliver the highest quality results and provide an exceptional patient experience. Their prices are affordable, they accept all types of insurance and they allow various flexible payment plan options. Call now to schedule a complimentary consultation!
Address: 8540 S Sepulveda Blvd. Suite 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045Phone: 3102160101
Email: info@playavistaortho.comWebsite: http://www.playavistaorthodontics.com/
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