Now that you have your braces, how do you take care of them? It's important for you to know how to properly take care of your braces throughout your entire orthodontic treatment.

Eating with Braces

Don’t worry, you'll be eating normally 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 with braces:

• Chewy foods – bagels, licorice
• Crunchy foods – popcorn, chips, ice
• Sticky foods – caramel candies, chewing gum
• Hard foods – nuts, hard candies
• Foods that require biting into, such as corn on the cob and apples, will need to be cut into smaller pieces. Do not bite directly into whole fruits

Foods you CAN eat with braces:

• Dairy – soft cheese, pudding, milk-based drinks
• Breads – soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins w/o nuts
• Grains – pasta, soft-cooked rice
• Meats/poultry – soft-cooked chicken, meatballs, lunch meats
• Seafood – tuna, salmon, crab cakes
• Vegetables – mashed potatoes, steamed spinach, beans
• Fruits – applesauce, bananas, fruit juice
• Treats – ice cream w/o nuts, milkshakes, Jell-O, soft cake

Playing Sports with Braces

Game, Set, Match – we have great news for athletes! You can still play sports even while undergoing orthodontic treatment! If you do play sports, it's recommended that you wear a mouthguard in order to protect your teeth and your appliance. Please let us know if you need a mouthguard, we will happily provide you with one designed especially for athletes with braces.

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 right away. You can temporarily relieve the discomfort with wax, rinsing your mouth with warm salt water or by using Colgate's® Peroxyl® Antiseptic Oral Cleanser.