1405 S. Pioneer Way | Moses Lake, WA 98837 | 509-766-9744

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LIFE WITH BRACES

Is Easier Than You Think

Your braces will be attached quickly and easily to your teeth but a full day is necessary for the bands to completely affix. It is a good idea to wait several hours after getting braces before eating solid food. You may find it easier to eat soft foods the first few days while you are becoming accustomed to eating with your new braces.

HELPFUL TIPS

Braces + Hygiene

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush with a small head. Electric and sonic toothbrushes are also acceptable.
Brush your teeth after meals and snacks.
If having eaten while away from home, use your interdental brush to dislodge any food that may get caught around your braces.
Rinse with water to dislodge food from your braces and to keep sugar from sitting on your teeth.
Floss your teeth at least once a day.
Have a check up with your dentist every 6 months.

Did you know that blue is the
most popular color of toothbrush?

EATING WITH BRACES

What’s Good And Not So Good

Don’t worry, you’ll be eating popcorn and snacking on potato chips again in no time! However, before you can start enjoying some of the treats you love, you will need to take special care to avoid any foods that could damage your new appliances.

Foods To Avoid

Chewy foods — bagels, licorice
Crunchy foods — popcorn, chips, ice
Sticky foods — caramel candies, chewing gum (sugar-free gum is okay)
Foods you have to bite into — corn on the cob, apples, carrots
Hard foods — nuts, hard candies

Foods That You CAN Eat With Braces

Grains — pasta, soft cooked rice
Seafood — tuna, salmon, crab cakes
Dairy — soft cheese, pudding, milk-based drinks
Breads — soft tortillas, pancakes, mufﬁns without nuts
Fruits — applesauce, bananas, sliced fruit, most berries (but watch out for seeds)
Meats/poultry — soft cooked chicken, meatballs, lunch meats
Vegetables — mashed potatoes, steamed spinach, beans
Treats — ice cream without nuts, milkshakes, Jell-O, cake

Eating restricted foods may cause problems which will result in extra visits for repairs and ultimately extend the length of treatment. You’ll have plenty of time to enjoy these restricted foods after completing your treatment. If you have a question about a certain food, please ask Dr. Feller or one of his staff members.

Maintaining good oral hygiene is important ALL the time but it is especially important for patients wearing braces. If plaque is left on your teeth and around the braces, you can develop swollen gums, bad breath, scarred and discolored teeth and cavities. You should brush your teeth after every meal so make sure you have a toothbrush handy at school or work. Flossing is a MUST but can be a little tricky at first. Our staff will make sure you know how to floss with braces.

Permanent retainers have some major advantages, such as not worrying about putting retainers in and out, losing retainers, keeping your retainers clearn and they also come wiht the highest chances of keeping your teeth straight (as long as they don’t get loose). They also have a major disadvantage; they are a little hard to clean. WATCH the video regarding Floss Threaders below to learn how to properly clean around permanent retainers.

BRUSHING VIDEOS

Breaking Old Habits

Brushing - No Braces

Brushing Technique - Poor

Brushing With Proxobrush - Poor

Flossing With Superfloss - Poor

Decalcification

Floss Threader

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Having issues or questions about braces or Invisalign®? Need to talk to us for anything else? Just fill out the form below and hit that handy dandy submit button and we will get back to you!