We'll Ensure a Stress-Free Experience With Braces

Adjusting to braces can take a little time. While the benefits of braces are great, you may need to make a few changes to your lifestyle while you wear them. Dr. Ben Neibaur can help make life with braces easy! Call us today at (801) 821-2163 to make your appointment with our orthodontist at Neibaur Family Orthodontics and to learn more about life with braces in Draper, Sandy, and Kamas, Utah.

Taking care of your oral health and braces is integral to your treatment. Treatment is easier and more effective when your appliances are well cared for. You may need to adjust some of the things you eat, your physical activities, and your at-home oral hygiene routine.

Eating with Braces

While you can still eat what you want with an Invisalign® treatment (as the aligners are removable), there are certain foods that you should avoid while wearing traditional braces. Our orthodontist recommends that you avoid eating the following types of foods:

• Chewy foods: bagels, licorice, gummy candies
• Crunchy foods: popcorn, chips, ice
• Sticky foods: caramel candies, chewing gum
• Hard foods: nuts, hard candies
• Foods that require biting into: corn on the cob, apples, carrots

Soreness Caused by Braces

You will probably feel some soreness and discomfort the first few days after receiving braces and after any adjustments. These sensations are normal. You can gargle with warm salt water (one teaspoon of salt in about eight ounces of water) or take a mild pain reliever to alleviate discomfort.

Physical Activity

You can participate in all your typical sports or physical activities while wearing braces, but we strongly recommend wearing a mouth guard. A mouth guard will keep your teeth and soft tissues safe during sports. Please get in touch with our orthodontist or your family dentist about receiving a custom sports mouth guard.

Dental Hygiene with Braces

During your braces treatment, continue brushing at least twice daily and floss daily. Consider using a water pick or other device to help flush food particles and debris from your mouth and between the wires of your braces.

You should also continue to visit your family dentist regularly for dental cleanings. Doing so will help keep your mouth healthy and free from decay and disease. For more information on life with braces and to schedule your consultation with our caring orthodontist, please call our practice today.