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Foods to avoid with braces:

• Chewy foods — bagels, licorice, anything in a wrapper (starburst)

• Crunchy foods — popcorn, chips, ice

• Sticky foods — caramel candies, chewing gum

• Hard foods — nuts, hard candies

• Foods that require biting into — corn on the cob, apples, carrots

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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, fruit juice

• Treats — ice cream without nuts, milkshakes, Jell-O, soft cake 

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Soreness Caused from Braces and Appliances​

When you first get your braces, you may notice that your teeth and mouth feel a little tender or sore. This is normal.  It is also not uncommon for your lips, cheeks, and tongue to become irritated for a few days as they toughen and become used to the braces. We would be happy to give you some wax that you can put over the braces to lessen the tenderness. 

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Loose Teeth

If your teeth begin feeling a little loose, don’t worry; this is normal! Your braces must first loosen your teeth to move them into the right position. Once your teeth have been repositioned, they will no longer be loose.

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Loose Wires and Bands

The wires and bands on your teeth may come loose. If this happens, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can check and repair your appliance. If any piece of your appliance comes off, be sure to save it and bring it to the office with you.

You can temporarily fix the loose wire by using the eraser end of a pencil to carefully and gently push the wire back into place. If the loose wire is causing irritation to your lips or cheeks, put wax or a wet cotton ball over the broken wire to relieve the pain.

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Take Care of Your Appliances

Damaged appliances can increase the length of your treatment process, so be sure to take care of all your appliances. Your teeth and jaws can only move into their correct positions if you consistently wear the rubber bands, springs,  retainer, or other appliances prescribed by our doctor.

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Playing Sports with Braces

Game, Set, Match! — Great news for athletes! You can still play sports  while undergoing orthodontic treatment! If you do play sports, it’s recommended that you wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth and your appliance. Let your doctor know if you need help finding the right mouthguard for the best protection.

In case of a sports emergency, be sure to immediately check your mouth and appliance for damage. If you notice any loose teeth or appliance damage, please contact our office right away. You can temporarily relieve the discomfort by applying wax or rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater.

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