Orthodontic Info
Life with
BracesEating with
BracesFoods 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 — corn on the cob, apples, carrots
Foods you CAN eat with braces:
Dairy — soft cheese, pudding, milk-based drinks
Breads — soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins without 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 without nuts, milkshakes, Jell-O, soft cake
Soreness Caused from
Braces and Appliances
When you first get your braces, you may notice that your teeth and mouth feel a little tender or sore. This is perfectly normal and we promise your mouth will not be sore forever! To relieve the pain, we recommend dissolving one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of lukewarm water. Swish and gargle this solution in your mouth for just a couple of minutes (do not swallow the saltwater).
If the pain is more severe and does not go away after rinsing, you can also try taking a pain reliever. It is also not uncommon for your lips, cheeks, and tongue to become irritated for one to two weeks as they toughen and become used to the braces. We would be happy to give you some wax that you can put over the braces to lessen the tenderness. If you need some wax, please let us know.
Retainer Care
Wear your retainer at all times, until the doctor instructs otherwise.
Take your retainer out when eating, and always put it back in its case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunchrooms or restaurants.)
Clean the retainer thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Use warm but not hot water. Brushing retainers removes the plaque, and eliminates odors. Efferdent® or other orthodontic appliance cleaners can be used but do not take the place of brushing.
When your retainer is not in your mouth, it should ALWAYS be in its case. Pets love to chew on them! Initially, you may find it difficult to speak. Practice speaking, reading, or singing out loud to get used to it faster.
Retainers are breakable, so treat yours with care. If your retainer gets lost or broken, call us immediately.
If you have any questions or concerns about your retainer, or you believe it needs adjusting, call us. Do not try to adjust it yourself.
Always bring your retainer to your appointments.
Retainer replacements are expensive, but with proper care they will last for years!
Remove your retainer when you go swimming.
Keep retainers away from hot water, hot car dashboards, pockets, the washing machine, and napkins.
★★★★★
Our 5-Star
Compton Experience
Andrew Burt
Paulie “Strange” Botkin
Rene Rodrigue
Sydney P.
Andrea Hawkins
Shepard Kurtz
Amanda Denham
Brittany Scott
Compton Orthodontics
Locations
BOWLING GREEN OFFICE
RUSSELLVILLE OFFICE
Tompkinsville Office
