Braces Home Care Instructions
Congratulations on your braces! Over the next few days, you may experience some soreness in your teeth and gums, as well as small blisters on your cheeks from the braces. This is completely normal, and most discomfort will subside within a week. Please follow the instructions below, and contact us if you have any concerns.
Foods to Avoid
To protect your braces, avoid hard, chewy, or sticky foods. All foods should be cut into small pieces, and you should chew with your back teeth only. Do not bite into anything with your front teeth. Here are examples of foods to avoid:
- Apples and carrots (must be cut into small pieces)
- Ice
- Hard candies (e.g., taffy, jawbreakers, Jolly Ranchers, Snickers)
- Gum (including sugar-free)
- Meat on the bone (all meats should be cut into small pieces)
- Corn on the cob
- Hard chips (e.g., Doritos, Fritos, tortilla chips, pretzels)
- Hard shell tacos
- Popcorn
- Hard bread, pizza crust, bagels, and French bread
- Avoid chewing on pens, pencils, fingernails, etc.
Comfort Care
As your body adjusts to your braces, you may encounter some common issues. Here are solutions:
Loose Bracket: If a bracket becomes detached from your tooth, you can wait until your next appointment (if within the first four months of treatment) and use wax or silicone strips to relieve discomfort.
Poking Wire: If a wire is poking your cheek, you can try to reposition it with tweezers or cut it with clean nail clippers or scissors.
Color Ties Off: If the color comes off a bracket or is missing from one side, there’s no need for action.
Bracket Hooks: If hooks on the brackets irritate your cheeks or tongue, apply wax over the brackets or smooth out any rough edges.
Appointments
You can book routine and comfort care appointments online at https://www.houstontexasdental.com/appointment/. For urgent issues outside of office hours, please text our staff at 832-377-5887.
Cleaning with Braces
Maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial while you have braces. Brush thoroughly in the morning and before bed, and clean your teeth after each meal.
When brushing, focus on the outer surfaces (towards your cheeks), the chewing surfaces, and the inner surfaces (towards your tongue). If your gums bleed while brushing, it may indicate inflammation.
To check your cleaning, run a Q-tip along your tooth surfaces, especially along the gum line. If the Q-tip remains white, your teeth are clean!
Flossing with braces can be challenging but is essential for oral health. A floss threader is included in your home care kit. Thread the floss through the loop of the threader, pass it through the spaces between your teeth and the wire, then floss normally. This should be done for each tooth at least once a day.
Remember to see your dentist every six months for checkups and cleanings while you have braces. If you have difficulty keeping your teeth clean, we may recommend more frequent cleaning visits.
Thank you for choosing us as your orthodontic care provider. Together, we will create a beautiful smile for you to enjoy for a lifetime. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We look forward to seeing you soon!