Your Everyday Guide to Thriving with Braces
Braces are a temporary part of your life, but the habits you build now make a lasting difference. With a few adjustments to eating, cleaning, and daily routines, you can stay comfortable, protect your teeth, and keep treatment moving smoothly toward your new smile.
Eating with Braces
Making smart food choices is one of the easiest ways to protect your braces and keep treatment progressing smoothly. Select foods that are soft, easy to chew, and gentle on brackets and wires. Meals like yogurt, eggs, pasta, cooked vegetables, rice dishes, soft fruits, and tender proteins are comfortable to eat and brace-friendly.
When enjoying firmer foods, cut them into small, bite-sized pieces rather than biting directly with your front teeth.
Hard Foods to Avoid
- Ice
- Nuts
- Suckers
- Popcorn
- Doritos
- Tacos
- Tostitos
- Ribs
- Pizza crust
- Hard rolls
- French bread
- Bagels
Sticky/High Sugar Foods to Avoid
- Caramel
- Toffee
- Tootsie rolls
- Gumballs
- Sugary bubble gum
- Sugary soda pop
- Starbursts
Getting Used to the Feeling of Braces
It’s normal to notice tenderness when braces are first placed or after adjustment visits. This pressure means teeth are moving as planned. Mild soreness usually fades within a few days and can be eased with soft and cold foods, and over-the-counter pain relief can be used if needed
When Something Feels Off with Your Braces
If a Part Comes Loose
A poking wire, detached bracket, or broken band can make braces uncomfortable and less effective. Contact your orthodontic office as soon as possible so they can guide you on what to do next. In the meantime, orthodontic wax can help cover sharp areas and prevent irritation. Avoid tugging or trying to fix anything yourself which may cause further damage or delay progress.
If Teeth Feel Wiggly
Slight tooth movement during treatment is completely expected. Braces work by gently loosening teeth so they can shift into better positions. Once movement is complete, the surrounding bone stabilizes them again, restoring their firmness and support.
Our Doctors
Dr. Cheng Lun Wang
Specialty: Certified Specialist in Orthodontics
✓ Practicing since 1994
✓ Part-time clinical instructor at UBC Graduate Orthodontic program
✓ Dr. Wang also provides treatment for head pain and jaw pain
✓ Fluent in Mandarin
Dr. Kevin Lee
Specialty: Certified Specialist in Orthodontics
✓ Practicing since 2015
✓ Dr. Lee also provides treatment for Botox Cosmetic injections and Sleep Apnea oral appliance
✓ Fluent in Mandarin
Dr. Yan Liu
Specialty: Certified Specialist in Orthodontics
✓ Practicing since 2001
✓ Dr. Liu is an associate Professor at Peking University and UBC Graduate Orthodontic program.
✓ Fluent in Mandarin
Dr. Yashodhan Milind Bichu
Specialty: Certified Specialist in Orthodontics
✓ Practicing since 2016
✓ Dr. Yash has worked in Dubai and is experienced in providing lingual braces
✓ Fluent in Hindi/Urdu and conversational in Arabic and Punjabi.
