Life with braces

Braces change your routine for a few days, then become background noise. Here is what actually matters.

Eating with braces

Skip: chewy candy, caramel, hard nuts, ice chewing, popcorn hulls, whole apples and corn on the cob (cut them up instead), and anything that snaps a wire.

Enjoy: pretty much everything else: pasta, soft breads, dairy, eggs, tender meats, cooked vegetables, smoothies, ice cream. The first week favors the soft end of that list.

Soreness and adjustment

Teeth feel tender for a few days after braces go on and after adjustments. Cold water, soft foods and over-the-counter pain relief handle it. Orthodontic wax smooths any bracket that irritates a cheek while your mouth toughens up.

Sports and music

Play everything. Wear a mouthguard for contact sports (ask us for one that fits over braces). Wind and brass players adapt within a week or two; wax helps during the transition.

Something poking or broken? See our emergency care guide or call or text us.