How to deal with braces - clueless?!?!


Question: How to deal with braces - clueless!?!!?
Got braces over a week ago!. Need some answers from people who have had them for a while!.
1) Do you need to brush your teeth/mouthwash after EVERY meal!?
I mean, i'm in the shops and just had something to eat, and i'm fussing because i'm scared that if i can't brush, something will go terribly wrong!
2) What about school lunchs!? Do i take toothbrush and toothpaste and keep it in my pocket or what!? I mean i have a couple of people with braces at school & i dont see them rushing into the bathroom after lunch!.!.
3) Can i bite with my front teeth or do i have to chew with the back!? I mean, eating is a challenge, i think i'm going to break off all my brackets!
4) I feel like i cant eat normal food!. We have a Festival thingy coming up and there's going to be indian, asian, italian food & heaps of cakes and lollies, can i have a tad or do i HAVE to miss out!?
5) going to a party, can i have coke!? I'm even scared of drinking orange juice!! What if i get cavities!?!?!?!?!?

Any more useful info will do!. thanks!!!Www@Answer-Health@Com


Answers:
As an orthodontist, we REALLY want you to brush your teeth after every meal!. When you get braces, you should have received a portable toothbrush that's portable and small with toothpaste!. If not, that's horrid!.

We REALLY REALLY want you to take good care of your teeth!. Yellow squares can occur if you don't!.

Don't worry, it's common for brackets to break, but not this early!. Stay away from gum and candy please!.

You can eat normal food, don't worry!. I'm sure your perfectly fine by now that you can!. Just BRUSH YOUR TEETH!.

It's safe to drink fizzy drinks and orange juice, although the glue may still be a little wet!. Try to stay away from the heavy sugars!. You can have coke, just little sips, please!.

Always check up on your braces!. As a former braceface, I was always embarrassed when I didn't check up on my teeth and had something stuck in them!. Carry a mirror!.

There's nothing to fret about, braces will be normal to you!. I assume you've got your soreness done and over with, now the real fun begins!. =]

Brush your teeth regularaly after every meal, please, we appreciate it!.

Marie the Orthodontist!.



EDIT: I'm going to get all of you who are suggesting he doesn't!. Orthodontists clearly state that to keep your teeth in maximum healthy condition, BRUSH AFTER EVERY MEAL!.

Prevents embarrassment, too!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

1!. No, you don't need to brush after every meal!. Just brush a normal amount of time (twice a day)!.
2!. Trust me, it's really not that much different then brushing without braces!.
3!. You'll get used to the braces, and won't even notice them while eating after a while!. You CAN bite most things with your front teeth, but I wouldn't suggest it with really hard things (carrots, apples, etc!.)!. Just bite hard things at the side of your mouth!. It's normal for me to that because I'm weird and bit things at the side of my mouth even before I got braces!.
4!. As for the Festival thingy, PIG OUT! Eat what you want!. If you just recently got your braces on, and are still having some pain while eating, then take an aspirin or two before you go!. I've eaten whatever I wanted and haven't had any problems!.
5!. Yes, drink coke!. Drink whatever you're in the mood for!. If you're scared of getting cavities, I'd suggest rinsing your mouth out with water occasionally!. But don't stress to much!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

Seriously don't worry there pretty much box standard!.
1) As often as you can not like little snacks!! else you would over clean then, just after your standard 3 meals a day!.
2) Don't think you have to take a toothbrush because you won't!!
just be careful things are more prone to be getting stuck in the brackets and things!.
3)You will get used to the brackets just eat softer foods untill it feels more secure :) and you will eventually get used to it and be able to eat normal foods!.
4) You can! just be careful because sticky things can break the brackets off it you aint careful!
5) Im addicted to coke and it didnt harm my teeth (yet!)
Orange juice is ok!. If you get cavities you get them filled i think :0
Good luck!!
Www@Answer-Health@Com

1!. If you can brush your teeth, then do so!. If it's not possible, rinse your mouth, either with water, or carry some mouth wash!. You don't wanna have visible pieces of food stuck between the wires!
2!. It's up to you, if it would make you more comfortable to brush after lunch at school then do so!. I used to take a little toothbrush and toothpaste with me to school!.
3!. The orthodontist usually says you shouldn't bit into stuff with your front teeth!. If you can, cut the food into little pieces (I know, I know, it's silly)!. Try and bite on the side, at the back!.
4!. You will be able to eat normal food once the pain wears down, just be conscious of the way that you bite!. And avois sticky things like toffee, and things like popcorn - one popcorn kernels took my glued on retainer out! So it could do the same number on your braces!.
5!. As far as I remember, I could drink whatever I wanted!. Coke is apparently bad for the teeth anyway, braces or not!. Just brush as often as you can I guess!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

Lots of questions! =] That's ok!. I'll try to answer them as best as I can:
1) Not after every single meal, but you should at least make sure to brush them at least 3-4 times a day!. Nothing will go wrong if you brush your teeth properly!.
2) I take a toothbrush and toothpaste and keep it in my bag!. That way, after lunch, I just head to the bathroom real quick and brush my teeth!. It's not necessary, but it makes me feel better knowing my breath is more fresh!. You could also bring a little tube of mouthwash if you want!.
3) You CAN bite with your front teeth, but it's recommended you cut your food up into small bites and eat it like that!. You won't break your brackets off unless you're eating something you aren't supposed to be eating, like caramel, popcorn, etc!. If you stay away from these foods, none of your brackets/wires/springs will come off!.
4) You can eat normal food! =] Your braces just take getting used to!. Go ahead and have some!.
5) Coke or orange juice won't give you cavities!. The only thing that WILL give you cavities is not brushing/flossing properly & eating lots and lots of sugary drinks and snacks!. If you brush a little while after drinking something, you'll be ok!.

Don't worry about anything!. I have braces & I was scared all my brackets would fall out, too when I first got them!. I even had a dream all of my braces fell off! haha!. It just takes a little while to get used to them, but I can't wait for them to come off!. Good luck to you, and I hope I helped! =]Www@Answer-Health@Com

1) No, don't worry; I had braces and I only used to brush twice a day!. Of course, I used to pop into the restroom and check if there wasn't anything stuck in there, cos that's kinda nasty
2) Again, no you don't
3) Be careful when biting hard stuff!. and be sensible; I mean, don't go biting carrots with your front teeth!. You'll get used to being careful
4) You can have sweets, just be CERTAIN to brush when you're done
5) Definitely, you can have coke, just keep it to a minimum, as it does erode you teeth and braces if you drink too much

Any other info!? Well, don't miss an appointment; painkillers help!
Hope your ordeal is over soon! =) All the very bestWww@Answer-Health@Com





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