Congratulations on beginning your orthodontic treatment with metal braces! With your help, Shoe Orthodontics will get you the smile you've always dreamed of.
Getting and having metal braces require a commitment to care on your part. One of the most important commitments you'll have to make is to keep your braces clean. Here are some of our recommendations:
- Brush twice a day for 2 minutes (although NOT required, our recommended toothpaste is Colgate Total)
- Swish with a mouth rinse OR use a Waterpik for at least 30 seconds twice a day (although NOT required, we recommend ACT or Listerine)
- Floss with orthodontic flossers (available at Walmart and Weis, etc.)
At the beginning of your treatment with metal braces, we find that it's pretty common for patients to experience poking wires or brackets popping off due to moisture in the mouth during placement, the food they have eaten, etc. If this happens to you, don't panic! We're here to help you; give Shoe Orthodontics a call, and we'll get an appointment scheduled to repair or reattach your braces. Just call the office to schedule an appointment to reattach the braces. You won't need to visit us on the same day unless you're feeling incredibly uncomfortable or in any pain.
Another commitment will be avoiding foods that could cause your braces damage. You'll need to avoid sticky, chewy, and hard foods. Some of the foods include, but aren't limited to:
- Bubble Gum (sugar or sugarless)
- Hard Sourdough Pretzels
- Gobstoppers
- Snickers Bars
- Nuts
- Hard Bagels
- Laffy Taffy
- Swedish Fish
- Apples and Carrots should be sliced thin to eat
- Beef Jerky
- Kettle Chips
- Popcorn
- Gummy Bears
- Chewing on pens or pencils
- Starburst
- Ice
- Bottle Caps
While that list may feel pretty long, there are still a bunch of foods that you can eat. Don't worry! Most of the foods you might find in your fridge, on a restaurant menu, or in your cabinets are still up for grabs. You're still free to enjoy steamed vegetables, ice cream, cake, meats, kinds of pasta, chocolate, milkshakes, soft breads, rice, mashed potatoes, brownies, french fries, burgers, pizza (avoiding the crust), and so much more!
If you have any questions or need help, don't hesitate to contact Shoe Orthodontics. Our team is happy to provide any assistance you may need.
The Team at Shoe Orthodontics
