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Step 1
Manage the pain. The jaw pain associated with shifting teeth, the cuts and gauges from sharp brackets and the general soreness resulting from retainers, rubber bands and spacers can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers, such as Aleve or Tylenol. Chewing sugarless gum can help ease jaw pain. Your orthodontist should also give you a small container of wax to cover sharp brackets on your braces, in case they start to irritate your cheeks or lips.
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Step 2
Cut food into smaller pieces. Apples, corn on the cob, celery and other hard foods that require chewing should be cut into bite-size pieces to prevent any brackets from popping off and exposing sharp wires that could poke your cheeks.
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Step 3
Brush and floss frequently. Eating sugary foods without brushing soon-after can lead to white stains on your teeth. Try to brush after each meal, but at least morning, night and after eating any sticky foods (for example, chicken or raisins). Use a floss threader to floss easily.
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Step 4
Show them off. Ask your orthodontist to use color-coordinating bands on your brackets. Choose your school colors, holiday colors or make a statement with neon green. Everyone sees your braces; you might as well go all out.
Comments
mominnyc said
on 12/30/2008 FLOSS! I know it seems silly, but my daughter's mouth was constantly sore, gums swollen and red - until she started flossing regularly. She wouldn't use the threader floss things, but our Hygienist recently gave her The Platypus Flosser to use and it has made all the difference in the world. Now she flosses (pretty much) every day, and her mouth is no longer sore!!! her last checkup was "excellent" I found them online at: www.PlatypusCo.com Get them! It will be the best thing you've done all year!!!