Living with braces & what to expect

What to expect with braces

While advanced orthodontic technology allows us to offer a seamless treatment experience, there are some aspects of your regular routine that will need to be adapted when living with braces.

It is really important that once your braces have been carefully positioned, you take good care of them. Taking care of your braces will help treatment go smoothly and often faster. Each time you damage or break your braces, they may not work on your teeth as effectively.

Eating with braces

Recommended foods

Dairy – soft cheese, pudding, milk-based drinks
Breads – soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins
Meats and Poultry – chicken, meatballs, lunch meats
Seafood – tuna, salmon, crab cakes
Vegetables – mashed potatoes, steamed veggies, beans, peas
Fruits – grapes, bananas, kiwifruit, watermelon, mango
Treats – ice-cream, milkshakes, jelly, cake

Foods to avoid

Chewy foods – liquorice, chewy lollies
Crunchy foods – popcorn, chips, ice, toasted cereals
Sticky foods – caramels, chewing gum
Hard foods – nuts, boiled lollies

Cutting foods like apples, carrots and steak into smaller bite size pieces will also be helpful. Try not to bite into these whole as your braces will probably break.

Caring for your braces

Brush carefully

Food and plaque can get caught around your braces, so it is important to spend extra time brushing and flossing.

Wearing braces can make brushing your teeth just that little bit harder, which means you have to spend a bit more time keeping your teeth in tip top shape.

It’s best to give your teeth a good brush in the morning and at night, and sneak in a quick clean after every meal. Also be sure to rinse your mouth with a fluoride mouthwash each day to give it a good clean and keep your teeth extra strong.

Loose teeth

This means your braces or Invisalign are moving your teeth.

Braces work by applying force to your teeth. First this gentle pressure loosens your teeth then begins to guide them to new more desirable positions. Once your teeth have moved to their final position, the pressure will reduce and the teeth will become more fixed again and feel like normal.

If you have loose teeth from an accident or any other activity such as sports, phone your dentist or Medland Orthodontics immediately to discuss your next step.

Loose wires or bands

We know you’ll look after your braces like we recommend and it will be unlikely that you’ll have any loose wires or brackets. Just in case you do though, it’s best to call us on (07) 5597 3344 and we can help you over the phone.

Try to reposition loose wires back in the bracket with the eraser end of a pencil. If a loose wire is uncomfortable, try putting a bit of wax or a wet cotton ball over the end to relieve the pain.

If a piece of your braces comes loose, be sure to save it and bring it to the office with you. It’s best to get everything fixed as soon as possible so your treatment stays on track.

Visit your dentist

It’s important to see your dentist while you’re having orthodontic treatment, as wearing braces doesn’t replace regular dental care and cleans. We recommend you see your dentist every 4-6 months to make sure your teeth and gums stay healthy.

Doing your part

You play a big part in keeping your treatment on track and hassle-free.

Please follow the advice from your orthodontist and the instructions given to you by the team. It’s very important that you attend your scheduled appointments and you maintain healthy teeth and gums. This will allow your treatment to keep progressing smoothly and will help you achieve the best results with the least interruption.

Here are some friendly reminders:

Follow instructions carefully and if you don’t remember, simply ask again – we are always here to help.
Wear elastics prescribed by your doctor and follow their instructions. Not wearing your elastics can have a big impact on your end result and how long you stay in braces.
If you’re wearing Invisalign, remember that you have to wear your aligners between 20 and 22 hours each and every day to keep your treatment on schedule.