Tips for Braces
Now that you’ve started orthodontic treatment we’ve got Good News and Bad News. First the Good News: , braces are going to move your teeth and help you get the beautiful, straight smile you’ve always wanted. Now for the Bad News –: braces are going to move your teeth, and sometimes that hurts.

Don’t worry though; we’ve got some tips to help you make it through braces easier.

Just Got Braces?
Because braces touch your cheeks, lips, and tongue with wires, hooks, and rough edges, you are likely to feel a bit sore at first. You also may get little sores called mouth ulcers or "canker sores.” Gishy Goo is the perfect solution to help you get more comfortable with your braces at the beginning and throughout treatment.

What Should I Eat?
You should always listen to your orthodontist—he or she is in charge—kind of like the Principal at school. Your doctor has some general rules that help you keep your braces healthy. You should avoid hard, crunchy or sticky foods—they can damage your braces and your teeth. And all the fun foods that you sink your teeth into like corn on the cob, apples and carrots… Well they are off the list too. And while we are it, it’s not a good idea to chew on pens, pencils, fingernails or any other foreign object—besides, you never know where that foreign object has been!!!

Eating forbidden foods can knock off brackets, and that means unhappy parents, more time in braces, and sometimes even extra expenses because of the extra work for the orthodontist. So, unless you enjoy wearing braces forever, follow the list of forbidden foods.

How do I keep food out of my braces?
One of the challenges of eating with braces is that food can get stuck in your braces. While it might be fun to play the game, "Guess What I Had for Lunch,” most of your friends will find it a little bit GROSS. So, while you may have only brushed your teeth one or two times a day before braces, you should try to brush after every meal. Your friends and your dentist will appreciate it too.

Brushing with braces is different than before you had braces; now you need to brush around the brackets and wires too. A soft toothbrush (like a Smilebrush) is recommended during orthodontic treatment. Flossing will also help you to get rid of the leftovers in your mouth, but flossing can be a challenge with brackets and wires. OpalPix offer an easy and convenient way to clean between your teeth and around your braces. At school or at work? Carry them with you in a backpack or purse. And, in case you didn’t have enough to worry about, remember to still see your dentist at least every 6 months to keep your pearly whites looking good.

Loose Bracket?
If a bracket comes unglued from your tooth, call your orthodontist immediately because your teeth may start moving in the wrong direction. The bracket will most likely remain on the wire sliding back and forth between two glued brackets. Instead of using your tongue to play with the bracket, apply a small dab of Gishy Goo around the bracket and on the wire. Gishy Goo will temporarily hold the bracket in place until your orthodontist can glue the bracket back on.

If the bracket on the very back tooth comes unglued it may fall into your mouth and leave a wire poking. Do not swallow the bracket. Simply remove it from your mouth and keep it in a safe place. If the wire is poking your cheek, mix a small dab of Gishy Goo and place it around the poking wire to provide temporary relief.

Got Music?
Gishy Goo helps you continue to play a musical instrument during orthodontic treatment. Playing a reed or brass instrument with braces will take some time to get used to. Your braces may even change the sound of the instrument until you become accustomed to adjusting your lips over the braces. The insides of your lips and cheeks may become irritated as they push up against the braces. If this happens, place a small dab of Gishy Goo over your front teeth, or wherever you feel discomfort. Gishy Goo stays in place for up to 12 hours, but it can also be removed and replaced as needed.

Play Sports?
Some sports require a mouthguard, which usually fits over the upper arch. Gishy Goo gives the athlete a great way to protect the lips and cheeks on the lower arch from bumps or cuts. It may be placed over one tooth or along an entire arch—whatever helps to win the game!