You’re finally on your way to a brand new smile. Although the journey may seem long and arduous, the results will change your life forever. During the first few weeks, you will likely have a lot of questions about living with braces. Which foods can I eat? Which foods can’t I eat? How can I make the pain go away? All these questions will be answered here, in Martinez Orthodontics’ guide for getting through the early days with braces.
The Do’s and Dont’s of Food
One of the most common questions we receive are about diet. A general rule to follow is to always avoid anything that could break off or get stuck on your braces. Generally, these include foods that are sticky, hard, or high in sugar.
Some examples of food to avoid include:
- Gum
- Sticky candies like licorice or toffee
- Fruit Roll-Ups
- Nuts
- Hard Tacos
- Corn on the cob
- Pizza Crust
Of course, there are still many foods you can enjoy with braces as well. These include many things that are soft and easy to chew, such as:
- Cheese
- Meatballs
- Meat loaf
- Mashed Potatoes
- Applesauce
- Corn OFF the cob
- Ice Cream
- Milkshakes
- Pudding
Pain, Pain Go Away!
When you first get your braces on, as well as when you get them tightened, there may be some pain or discomfort. While we try to make sure the process is as painless as possible, one of the first tips we recommend is taking a pain reliever, like Ibuprofen, after your appointment to reduce pain. You can also use an ice pack or drink some ice cold water to reduce inflammation.
Our final and most important tip of all is to relax and be patient. You will learn that the discomfort you feel initially will eventually go away as you get used to your braces.
Call Martinez Orthodontics Today!
If you are experiencing an abnormal amount of pain, or accidentally break one of your brackets, call our our office today at (513) 598-9800. We’re proud to offer a variety of treatment options, including metal braces, ceramic braces, computer-customized braces, Invisalign, and more to patients living in Mack and Cincinnati, OH. We look forward to hearing from you soon!