Brush Your Teeth with Braces
With braces, it’s important to brush and floss after every meal 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.

Take Care of Your Appliances
Damaged appliances can increase the length of your treatment process, so be sure to take care of your braces. Cooperation and care will ensure treatment is smooth and efficient. 

Foods to Avoid with Braces
You may want to avoid or take caution when eating the following foods, as they can cause wires and brackets to come loose from teeth.

• Chewy foods – licorice, lollies, caramel, gum
• Hard foods – nuts, popcorn, ice
• Foods that require biting into – apples, corn on the cob, carrots

Loose Wires and Brackets
Occasionally, the wires and brackets may become loose. If this happens please contact us. If the loose wire or bracket is causing irritation, you can use orthodontic wax to provide some relief. 

Soreness From Braces and Appliances
When you first get your braces, you may notice that your teeth and mouth feel tender and sore. This is perfectly normal; your mouth will not be sore forever! We recommend a softer diet and pain relief like Panadol for the first few days. 

Loose Teeth
If your teeth begin to feel a little loose, this is completely normal. In fact, this is a sign that your teeth are moving into the desired position. 

Playing Sport with Braces
We have great news for athletes! We encourage you to continue your sport and extracurricular hobbies while undergoing orthodontic treatment. If you play certain sports, we may recommend that you wear a mouthguard in order to protect your teeth. Let Dr Derek and Dr Brandon know if you need help finding the right mouthguard for the best protection.

In case of a sports emergency, be sure to immediately check your mouth and your appliance for any damage that may have occurred. If you notice any loose teeth, or if your appliance has been damaged, please contact our office.