Life with Braces

Adjusting to braces is easier with the right care and daily habits.

Does My Life Have To Change Now That I’m In Braces?

Now that you are in orthodontic treatment, it’s important to know what comes next. How do you care for braces or aligners? How will your life change?

Braces And Your Diet

If you choose traditional bracket and wire braces, you will have to make a few adjustments to your diet, and that may mean skipping over some of your favorite snacks for the duration of your treatment. Remember, braces aren’t meant to be a punishment. You can still enjoy the foods that you like. You just have to modify a few things. But don’t worry, you’ll be back to snacking on popcorn and taffy in no time!

Foods to avoid with braces:

Chewy foods— bagels, licorice, starbursts
Crunchy foods— popcorn, hard chips, ice
Sticky foods— caramel candies, chewing gum
Hard foods— nuts, hard candies, hard pizza crusts
Foods that require biting into — corn on the cob, apples, raw carrots

Foods you can eat with braces:

Dairy— soft cheese, pudding, milk-based drinks
Breads— soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins without nuts, soft pizza crusts
Grains— pasta, soft cooked rice, noodles
Meats/poultry— soft cooked chicken, meatballs, lunch meats
Seafood— tuna, salmon, crab cakes
Vegetables— mashed potatoes, steamed spinach, beans
Fruits— applesauce, bananas, fruit juice, strawberries
Treats— ice cream without nuts, milkshakes, Jell-O, soft cakes, pies

Common Braces Issues

Braces do an amazing job of straightening teeth, but it’s normal to run into a few small issues along the way. Most of these problems are temporary and can be fixed at home or at your next visit.

Soreness, Irritation

Discomfort from Braces and Appliances

It is completely normal to feel a bit of discomfort right after your braces are placed. It won’t last forever but we know in that first day or two it can be annoying! Warm saltwater rinse is a great way to relieve minor irritations. You can also take an

Tooth Movement, Adjustment

Loose Teeth

Having your teeth feel loose can be a strange sensation, but don’t worry – it’s completely normal. In order to move to their new locations, your teeth have to loosen from their current ones. But once they’ve settled into their new places everything will feel stable and secure again.

Wire Shift, Irritation

Loose or Poking Wires

Sometimes the wire can come loose or shift during your treatment. There is an easy temporary fix until your next appointment. If a wire becomes loose, you can use the back of a spoon or the eraser end of a pencil to gently guide the wire back in place. If

Band Slip, Molar Bands

Loose Bands

If you have bands around your back teeth, in some rare occasions they may become loose. This isn’t an emergency and can be addressed at your next appointment. We rarely use these bands at Gire Orthodontics, so this most likely won’t be an issue during your treatment.

Bracket Off, Bonding Issue

Loose or Broken Brackets

Sometimes the bonding material that is used to hold your brackets in place can weaken or fail, causing a bracket to become loose. This is not an emergency and you don’t need to rush to our office if this happens. If it’s still on the wire, know that it won’t

Appliance Fit Issue

Loose Expander

If your treatment requires the use of an expander and it becomes loose, it is important to contact us as soon as possible. Not only can a loose expander be uncomfortable, if left off for too long it can impact your treatment. It’s important to take proper care of your

Protect Your Smile During Sports

You don’t have to worry about giving up your favorite sport just because you’re wearing braces. It is important to wear a mouthguard to protect your mouth from injury and to prevent any damage to your appliance. Gire Orthodontics is happy to help you find a properly fitting mouthguard to ensure your smile stays protected. We recommend mouthguards for any athletes who engage in activities where a blow to the mouth could result – not just traditional contact sports.

If you have an injury or accident while in braces, be sure you check your mouth and appliance right away. Contact our office as soon as you can to schedule an appointment if you are concerned.