Life With Braces – Infinity Orthodontics

Caring for Your Teeth and Gums

When you have braces, it's very important to brush and floss after every meal in order to keep your teeth and gums healthy throughout your treatment. If you need help choosing the right toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss, please ask us and we can help you choose the right products for your teeth and your appliance.

Brushing Instructions

Step 1

 Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gum.

Step 2

Brush gently in a circular motion.

Step 3

Brush the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces of each tooth.

Step 4

Use the tip of your brush for the inner surface of your front teeth.

Retainer Instructions

It is important that you wear your retainer as instructed by your doctor. Clean the retainer thoroughly – with warm but not hot water – at least once a day with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Cleaning them removes plaque and eliminates odors.

Be sure to remove your retainer before eating. Retainers are breakable, so treat yours with care. When your retainer is not in your mouth, it should be in its case.

Also, be sure to not leave it sitting in hot areas like a car or your pocket.

If your retainer gets broken or is lost, call us immediately at (512) 808-9128. If you have any questions about your retainer, call us. Do not try to adjust it yourself. Always bring your retainer to your appointments.

Flossing Instructions

Step 1

 Using a piece of floss about 18 inches long, carefully thread the end between braces and wire. You may find a floss threader helpful.

Step 2

 Carefully floss around the braces.

Step 3 

Carefully floss around the gum areas.

Step 4 

Carefully floss around each tooth.

Caring for Braces

Now that you have your braces, how do you take care of them?

Eating With Braces

You will need to avoid any foods that could damage your new appliances.

Avoid sticky and chewy foods (caramel, chewing gum, gummy bears), hard foods (hard candy, nuts, ice cubes), or any foods that could possibly get stuck in your braces (corn on the cob, soft bagels, ribs, taffy, etc.).

Be sure to schedule your routine checkups with your family dentist. It is recommended that you continue to visit the dentist every six months.

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

Soreness Caused from Braces and Appliances

When you first get your braces, your teeth and mouth may feel a little tender or sore. This is perfectly normal. To relieve the pain, we recommend dissolving one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of lukewarm water. Swish and gargle this solution in your mouth for just a couple of minutes (do not swallow the saltwater).

If the pain does not go away after rinsing, you can also try putting wax over your braces. It’s not uncommon for your tongue, cheeks, and lips to be irritated as they toughen and become used to the braces. If the pain is still severe, take a mild pain reliever.

Loose Teeth

Your braces must first loosen your teeth to in order move them into the right position. Once your teeth have been re-positioned, they will no longer be loose.

Loose Wires and Bands

If the wires and bands on your braces come loose, call us at (512) 808-9128 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 with you. You can temporarily fix the loose wire by using an 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.

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 jaw can only move into their correct positions if you consistently wear appliances as prescribed by your doctor.

Playing Sports with Braces

You can still play sports even while undergoing orthodontic treatment! We just recommended that you wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth and your appliance. Let Infinity Orthodontics if you need help selecting a mouthguard.