Life with Braces
Eating with Braces
Let's talk about what you shouldn't eat! For the first day or so, stick to softer foods. Avoid tough meats, hard breads, and raw vegetables. You'll need to protect your orthodontic appliances when you eat for as long as you're wearing braces.
Foods to Avoid
- Chewy foods: bagels, hard rolls, licorice
- Crunchy foods: popcorn, ice, chips
- Sticky foods: caramels, gum
- Hard foods: nuts, candy, hard bread
- Foods you have to bite into: corn on the cob, apples, carrots
- Chewing on hard things (for example, pens, pencils, or fingernails) can damage the braces. Damaged braces will cause treatment to take longer.
- If possible, try to reduce the amount of cola intake.
When you get your braces on, you may feel slight tenderness in your mouth for 1-2 days. All of our braces are mini- (small width) and low-profile (flat), which makes them virtually undetectable to the lips, cheeks, and tongue. For sensitive patients, we can show you how to place wax on your braces for added comfort. If you choose to take pain relief, we recommend Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin). Dr. Kravitz does not advocate Aspirin for young children.
Brushing
It's more important than ever to brush and floss regularly when you have braces so the teeth and gums are healthy after orthodontic treatment. Adults who have a history of gum disease should also see a periodontist during orthodontic treatment.
Athletics
If you play sports, it's important that you consult us for special precautions. Dr. Kravitz can you make a custom-made protective mouthguard that fit around your braces.
