Braces Care & Comfort Guide In The Woodlands TX

Welcome to Your New Smile! We understand that getting braces in The Woodlands TX is an exciting step towards a beautiful smile, and we’re here to guide you through the process! This guide provides helpful tips to manage any initial discomfort and ensure your braces stay in great shape throughout your treatment.

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What to Expect in the First Few Days

• Initial Discomfort: After getting braces, it’s common to experience some mild to moderate discomfort due to pressure on your teeth. This will usually last about 3-5 days and should gradually improve.
• Sore Mouth & Gums: The inside of your cheeks and lips may feel irritated by the brackets and wires. You might also experience small sores.
• Adjusting to Eating: You may find it difficult to chew tough foods right away.
• Speech: Your speech may feel a bit different due to the braces, but this should improve as you get used to them.

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Blue Turbo (Bite Turbos)

Some patients may have blue turbo pieces placed on the back of their teeth, usually on the upper or lower molars. Here’s what you need to know:

What Are They?

Bite turbos are small, raised pads placed on your back teeth to prevent your upper and lower teeth from touching during the initial part of treatment. They help with bite alignment and ensure that your teeth move in the right direction.

Why Are They Needed?

Blue turbos help prevent damage to the braces and reduce unwanted pressure on your front teeth while your bite is being corrected.

What to Expect:

• It may feel a bit strange at first, especially when eating or speaking.
• Some initial discomfort may occur as your teeth and bite adjust to the turbos.
• Over time, you will get used to them, and they will be removed once they’re no longer needed in your treatment.

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Foods to Eat During the First Few Days

Soft, easy-to-chew foods will help minimize discomfort:

✅ Mashed potatoes

✅ Yogurt

✅ Scrambled eggs

✅ Smoothies

✅ Soft pasta

✅ Soup

✅ Applesauce

✅ Avocados

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Foods to avoid with braces

Absolutely NO foods or drinks like these:

Hard foods:

• Ice (will destroy your braces)
• Pizza Crust (can bend wires)
• Hard vegetables, fruits and nuts (bend wires, loosen ands and knock off braces.) Shred, slice or dice vegetables and fruits into bite-sized pieces is OK
• Hard pretzels, chips and croutons (break appliances)
• Popcorn (shells tend to get stuck between band & gums causing swelling and pain.)
• Sticky, chewy and gooey food
• Caramel candy, gum, fruit roll-ups, Gummi candies, taffy, tootsie rolls, starbursts, jolly ranchers
• Bagels

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Foods to avoid with braces

Avoid foods, drinks and habits like these: High Sugary / very acidic drinks

• Soda, Gatorade, Powerade, fruit juices (these can dissolve tooth enamel and cause decalcification (white marks) and decay).

Minimize sugary food and drinks

• Cakes, ice cream, cookies, pies, raisins, dried fruit (limit these because they can also dissolve tooth enamel.)
• Kool-aid (too sugary – drink water between meals)

Bad Habits:

• Chewing on pens and pencils
• Biting fingernail   

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Pain Relief & Soothing Tips

• Pain Relievers: Over-the-counter medications, Dr. Shao recommends Tylenol, that can help relieve soreness. Always follow the recommended dosage.
• Orthodontic Wax: Apply wax to brackets or wires that are rubbing against the inside of your mouth. This can help reduce irritation.
• Gishy Goo: A silicone-based alternative to wax. This product can provide extra comfort and stays in place better than traditional wax, especially while eating. It’s available at pharmacies, Walmart, and online stores.
• Cold Therapy: Use ice packs to help numb the area and reduce swelling if occur.
• Saltwater Rinse: Gargling with warm salt water (1 tablespoon of salt in 8 oz. warm water) can help soothe irritated gums and mouth sores.

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Recommended Hygiene Products from Dr. Shao

To make sure your teeth and braces stay clean and healthy, Dr.Shao recommend the necessary products:

• Sonicare Electronic Toothbrush
• Waterpik Water Flosser

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Tips for Oral Care

Brushing and flossing are essential to keeping your teeth and braces clean:

• Brush After Every Meal and snack: Brush your teeth using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Pay special attention to your brackets and wires.
• Floss Daily: Use a floss threader or a water flosser to clean between your teeth and around the wires. Regular flossing helps prevent cavities and gum disease.
• Interdental Brushes: These small brushes help clean around your brackets and under the wires. However, do not use this in-between the teeth.
• Mouthwash: Consider using an antiseptic mouthwash to help reduce bacteria and avoid gum irritation.

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When to Use Emergency Care

Occasionally, issues may arise that require you to take action:

• Loose Bracket or Wire: If a bracket or wire becomes loose, you can try to temporarily reattach it with orthodontic wax. If the wire is poking, use a cotton swab to push it flat against the tooth, or cover the end with wax.
• Discomfort from Wires: If a wire is causing discomfort, try using tweezers to gently reposition it or cut it with sterilized nail clippers if it’s sticking out.
• Persistent Mouth Sores: If you have mouth sores that don’t heal, or if pain persists for more than a few days, please contact our office.

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Accidentally Swallowing a Bracket

If you accidentally swallow a bracket, please don’t panic. Brackets are made of stainless steel or ceramic, which are non-toxic and safe to pass through your digestive system. In most cases, the bracket will pass naturally and come out in your stool without causing any harm.

That said, please call our office if this happens. We will need to place a new bracket to ensure your orthodontic treatment continues as planned.

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When to Call Us

If you experience any of the following issues, please contact us right away:

• Severe pain or discomfort that over-the-counter pain medications don’t relieve
• Broken or loose brackets, bands, or wires
• Mouth sores that last more than a week
• Unexpected problems or concerns that you need help with