After you have started treatment it is important for you to know how to take care of your teeth while wearing braces. It is very important to maintain good oral hygiene during and after your braces are removed.

Eating with Braces

To prevent extra trips to the orthodontist for broken brackets and poking wires you should avoid certain foods and activities such as:

– Whole apples

– Popcorn


– Chewy foods such as caramel, gum, toffee

– Hard foods such as nuts
, candies, popsicles

– Chewing/biting nails

– Chewing pens/pencils

– Pizza crusts

When eating, you should cut your foods into smaller pieces than you normally would to prevent further complications that could prolong the treatment of braces.
 If you do have a loose wire or bracket please call the office as soon as possible so that we can repair your appliance. Please bring any broken pieces with you.

Brushing/Flossing instructions

Dr. Singh recommends to carry a travel toothbrush in your carry bag and to brush after every meal or snack. It is very important to remove food particles around your braces to avoid any gum or bone problems and also to avoid any permanent damage to teeth like cavities and white spots.

Flossing around the braces is as necessary as brushing around braces. Our office will provide you instructions on how to floss around braces.

Soreness

Wearing braces for the first time can cause some tenderness. Your inner lips, gums or cheeks may become irritated as well. This is not uncommon. This will all go away shortly. To help soothe your mouth you can rinse with warm salt water and place the wax given to the area that is causing you to be uncomfortable.

Orthodontic Emergency

If you have any Orthodontic Emergency, please call our office phone number. After our office hours, your phone call will be forwarded to Dr. Singh’s cell phone.