Pregnant? What You Need to Know About Your Pregnancy

Pregnant? What You Need to Know About Your Pregnancy

Tips On Living With Your New Orthodontic Braces

by Joann Dunn

If you've recently been fitted with braces by an orthodontic specialist, such as Arapahoe Orthodontics P.C., it's understandable if you're going through some irritation or awkwardness. Getting any kind of foreign object literally installed inside your mouth tends to do that. Your dentist will likely give you some advice on what to do in the days ahead to make sure you get off to a good start with your new braces. That said, here are some tips to keep in mind that will help you get back to feeling like normal again as soon as possible.

Expand Your Diet Options

You've likely been made aware that you will want to stick to certain types of foods, such as those that will not be sticky or hard to chew. While this is true, this doesn't mean  you have to eat nothing but paste for the next few months. There are plenty of foods you can have that  you might not have even thought of that will easily fit the bill of what you are looking for. Almost all dairy foods are still on the table, and you can still eat all of your favorite veggies, just make sure they are cooked instead of raw. As far as main courses go, most seafood, ground beef and chicken is also fine. The biggest area where you might have to make a change is snack food. Stick to ice cream or softer cakes, and stay away from crunchy potato chips or foods with hard chocolate or nuts. The point is, it's really not that difficult to maintain a normal diet, as long as you put a little extra thought into how to prepare the food.

Don't Freak About Loose Teeth

When your braces are first fitted, you will likely feel like some of your teeth are a bit loose in your mouth. This is normal, your braces are moving your teeth around so that they will settle into the correct position. This can be an awfully strange feeling, but the best thing to do here is to simply keep it out of your mind. This is a problem that will gradually get better the longer you wear the braces. Don't poke around with your finger or your tongue inside your mouth. If the teeth still seem especially loose more than a couple weeks after the braces are installed, go back to your dentist for assistance.

Saltwater is Your Friend

In the days immediately after getting new braces, it's natural to be sore. It's also possible for some pain to come and go from time to time even weeks down the line as your braces do the work they were installed for. Your dentist can certainly prescribe some painkillers that can help, but one substance that will alleviate your problem cheaply is already inside your home. Simply mix a teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water and stir. Swish it around like mouthwash, and it will help alleviate some of the irritation. Be careful not to swallow the water.

Getting orthodontic braces installed can cause some irritation and just generally a strange feeling inside your mouth. Understand that it's normal for your teeth to feel a little loose, and push back against the desire to touch or poke at your teeth with a finger or your tongue. If the pain is too much to bear, a mixture of salt and water can be a handy pain reliever that you can use as often as needed. While it's important to avoid sticky or chewy foods, don't punish yourself. You can still eat a wide variety of foods with braces, you just may need to put a little extra effort in, like heating up veggies so they are soft instead of hard.


Share

About Me

Pregnant? What You Need to Know About Your Pregnancy

During my first pregnancy, I spent a lot of time pushing pillows behind my back trying to find comfort. As the size of the baby grew, so did my discomfort. By the time she was born, I was more than ready to give birth. When I found out I was pregnant again, I was determined that I would not suffer through the same discomforts. I started researching ways to ease the symptoms of pregnancy, including back pain. I created this blog to help other expectant moms find remedies to deal with those symptoms that can be emotionally and physically draining.

Tags