All About Braces Care and Oral Hygiene
Brushing and Flossing with Braces
Maintaining excellent oral hygiene is especially important during orthodontic treatment. At Honey Orthodontics in Gurnee, IL, Dr. Oana Honey encourages patients to brush and floss carefully every day to keep teeth and gums healthy while wearing braces.
Food and plaque can easily collect around brackets and wires, so thorough cleaning helps prevent cavities, staining, and gum irritation. Patients who have difficulty keeping their teeth clean may need additional professional cleanings with their dentist during treatment. Adults with a history of gum disease may also benefit from regular periodontal care while undergoing orthodontic treatment.
What Foods Should You Avoid with Braces?
While wearing braces, certain foods can damage brackets or wires and slow down your treatment progress. For the first few days after getting braces, softer foods are usually more comfortable.
To protect your orthodontic appliances, try to avoid:
- Chewy foods: bagels, tough breads, licorice
- Crunchy foods: popcorn, ice
- Sticky foods: caramel, chewing gum
- Hard foods: nuts, hard candies
- Foods you must bite into: corn on the cob, whole apples, raw carrots
Cutting harder foods into smaller pieces can help make them easier and safer to eat. Avoid chewing on objects such as pens, pencils, or fingernails, as this can damage braces and delay treatment.
Adjusting to New Braces
It is normal to experience mild soreness for a few days after braces are first placed or after adjustments. Teeth may feel tender when biting, and the lips or cheeks may need time to adapt to the brackets.
Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen can help relieve temporary discomfort. Orthodontic wax can also be placed over brackets or wires that are causing irritation until the mouth becomes accustomed to the appliances.
Why Do Teeth Feel Loose During Orthodontic Treatment?
Some patients notice that their teeth feel slightly loose while wearing braces. This is a normal part of the orthodontic process.
Teeth must gently loosen in order to move into their corrected positions. Once treatment is completed, the teeth stabilize again as the surrounding bone and tissues adapt to their new alignment.
What Should You Do If a Wire or Bracket Comes Loose?
Occasionally, a bracket or wire may come loose during treatment. If a wire begins to poke or cause irritation, you can carefully move it back into place using a clean cotton swab or the eraser end of a pencil.
Applying orthodontic wax over the area can also help reduce irritation until it can be repaired. If this happens, contact Honey Orthodontics so our team can schedule a quick appointment to fix the issue and keep your treatment on track.
Wearing Rubber Bands as Directed
Rubber bands or other orthodontic appliances may be an important part of your treatment plan. These small elastics help guide the teeth and jaws into their ideal positions.
For the best results, it is important to wear rubber bands exactly as instructed by Dr. Honey. Consistent use helps treatment progress as planned and prevents unnecessary delays.
Can I Play Sports While Wearing Braces?
Yes, you can still participate in sports while wearing braces. If you play contact sports or activities with a risk of impact, wearing a protective mouthguard is highly recommended.
A mouthguard helps protect both your teeth and your orthodontic appliances during physical activities, allowing you to stay active while continuing your orthodontic treatment safely.