Life with Braces

IT’S PRETTY MUCH LIFE WITHOUT BRACES, ONLY MORE EXCITING

Having braces is much more comfortable than it used to be, especially when you get your braces at Williamsburg Orthodontics. That’s because our team is dedicated to bringing the best new technologies to Williamsburg.

THE FIRST FEW DAYS after each appointment you may experience some tenderness. Your teeth might even feel a little loose; after all, they’re on the move! You may want to take some form of pain reliever (what you would normally take for a headache) during this time. Tenderness usually subsides within a few days.

BRUSHING & FLOSSING

  • We recommend you use a soft bristled tooth brush with a small head. Electric and sonic tooth brushes are also acceptable.
  • Brush your teeth after meals and snacks.
  • If you have eaten while away from home, use your interdental brush to dislodge any food that may get caught around your braces.
  • Rinsing with water is another way to dislodge food from your braces, and to keep sugar from sitting on your teeth.
  • We recommend that you have a regular check up with your dentist every 6 months

Eating With Braces

You’ve probably heard from friends and family members who have worn braces that you won’t be able to eat some of your favorite foods while you’re in treatment. That’s true - if your favorite food is hard candy:-). Truth is - you can eat most anything as long as you avoid anything that might cause you to lose a bracket, break a wire, or get tangled up in goo. Here’s a simple, helpful guide to help you avoid any issues. Feel free to print this list out and put it up on the fridge.

Foods to AVOID with braces:

  • Chewy foods — bagels, licorice
  • Crunchy foods — popcorn, chips, ice
  • Sticky foods — caramel candies, chewing gum (sugar-free gum is okay)
  • Hard foods — nuts, hard candies
  • Foods you have to bite into — corn on the cob, apples, carrots (great to eat, but please cut into small pieces!)

Foods you CAN eat with braces:

  • Dairy — soft cheese, pudding, milk-based drinks
  • Breads — soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins without nuts
  • Grains — pasta, soft cooked rice
  • Meats/poultry — soft cooked chicken, meatballs, lunch meats
  • Seafood — tuna, salmon, crab cakes
  • Vegetables — mashed potatoes, steamed spinach, beans
  • Fruits — applesauce, bananas, sliced fruit, most berries (but watch out for seeds)
  • Treats — ice cream without nuts, milkshakes, Jell-O, cake