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Life With Braces

Home » Braces » Life With Braces

Now that you have your braces, how do you take care of them? It’s important for you to know how to take care of your braces properly throughout your entire orthodontic treatment.

Eating With Braces

Don’t worry; you’ll be eating popcorn and snacking on potato chips again in no time! Before you can start enjoying some of the treats you love, however, you will need to take special care to avoid any foods that could damage your new orthodontic appliances.

Foods 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
https://simplysouthernsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Foods-to-Avoid.mp4

 

Foods You Can Eat With Braces

  • Dairy — soft cheese, pudding, milk-based drinks
  • Bread — 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

Take Care of Your Appliances

Damaged appliances can increase the length of your treatment process, so be sure to take care of all your appliances. Your teeth and jaw can only move into their correct positions if you wear the rubber bands, headgear, retainer, or other appliances consistently as prescribed by Dr. Woods.

Brushing and Flossing With Braces

When you have braces, it’s especially important to keep up with a good oral hygiene routine to keep your teeth and gums healthy. When brushing, we recommend doing so after every meal. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and move the brush in small, circular motions to reach food particles that may be hiding in your gum line. For your teeth’s chewing surfaces and the inside of your teeth, use short, gentle, back-and-forth motions, paying close attention to the areas around your braces.

Flossing after each meal is essential to ensuring that your teeth and braces are clean and no food particles are left behind. Flossing takes more time and patience when you are wearing braces, but it is important to floss your teeth every day. To floss with braces, use a floss threader or special orthodontic floss to thread the floss behind each wire. Wrap the ends of the floss around your pointer fingers of both hands, leaving a few inches of taut floss between them. Gently slide the floss between each set of teeth using a back and forth motion. Floss the sides of each tooth beneath the gum line to remove plaque and food particles. Repeat this process until you’ve flossed all of your teeth. If you find that regular dental floss isn’t quite doing the trick, ask us about a water flosser for those hard-to-reach areas.

https://simplysouthernsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Brushing-Techniques-with-Braces.mp4

 

https://simplysouthernsmiles.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Brushing-with-Braces-Power-Brush.mp4

 

Playing Sports With Braces

Game, set, and match — we have great news for athletes! You can still play sports even while undergoing orthodontic treatment! If you do play sports, it’s recommended that you wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth and your appliance. Let us know if you need help finding the right mouthguard for the best protection.

In case of a sports emergency, be sure to check your mouth and appliance immediately for damage. If you notice any loose teeth or appliance damage, please contact our office right away. You can relieve the discomfort temporarily by applying wax or rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater.

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patient testimonials

Experience 5-Star Care

We’re thankful for the opportunity to serve our community. Hear what our patients are saying about their 5-star experience with us!
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Sandy
Dr. Woods and his team are very professional. They listened to all my concerns and answered all my questions. As someone who is in their mid-30s, I never dreamed that I would be able to smile confidently with my teeth. With the help of Dr. Woods and his team, now I can. They were able to help me make that dream come true. I am thankful beyond words.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your positive feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you had a great experience with us. Your support motivates our team to continue providing excellent care. We look forward to serving you again in the future! Sincerely, Dr. Woods& Team.
Kenya S.
Excellent place to go to if you need dental work done. Employees are excellent very attentive to their patients.Overall I really recommend this place.Its a very good place to get your teeth fixed.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your positive feedback! We're thrilled to hear you had a great experience with us. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and we appreciate your support. We look forward to seeing you again soon!
Burgandy G.
From the moment I stepped into the office, to ringing the completion bell today…I have always felt welcomed and cared for. Dr.Woods and his team are out of this world amazing, and truly care about all their patients! Dr. Woods was the third ortho I had gotten a consultation from, and the ONLY ortho that did not require teeth being pulled before braces. The first wanted to take 8 teeth, the second wanted to take 4. I am overjoyed to say that I have all my teeth, including my wisdom teeth, and have completed my ortho treatment with Dr. Woods. I originally sought orthodontic care because of my deep bite that caused headaches, ear aches, and jaw pain. A year into my orthodontic treatment all pain was gone! Getting super straight teeth and a beautiful smile is a big bonus! Thank you Dr. Woods and all his staff! I look forward to the end result of my son’s treatment as well. 😁
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your wonderful review, Burgandy! We're thrilled to hear that you felt welcomed and cared for throughout your orthodontic journey with Dr. Woods and our team. It’s fantastic that we could provide a solution without extractions and relieve your pain, while also giving you a beautiful smile. We appreciate your trust in us for your son's treatment as well, and we look forward to delivering the same great experience for him. Your kind words mean the world to us! Sincerely, Dr. Woods & Team!
Ryan G.
Okay, here’s a five-star review for Simply Southern Smiles in Statesville:

"I can't say enough good things about Simply Southern Smiles! From the moment I walked in, the staff made me feel comfortable and welcome. The office is clean, modern, and has a relaxing atmosphere. Dr. Woods is incredibly skilled and gentle. They took the time to explain every step of my treatment and answered all my questions thoroughly. I’ve always been nervous about dental visits, but Simply Southern Smiles has completely changed my perspective. My teeth have never felt cleaner or healthier! If you're looking for a top-notch dental experience in Statesville, look no further than Simply Southern Smiles. Five stars all the way!"
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you felt comfortable and welcomed during your visit. It’s great to know that Dr. Woods and our team's thorough explanations helped ease your nerves and enhance your experience. We strive to provide a clean and relaxing environment for all our patients. Your kind words motivate us to keep delivering top-notch care!
Ryan G.
Okay, here’s a five-star review for Simply Southern Smiles in Statesville:

"I can't say enough good things about Simply Southern Smiles! From the moment I walked in, the staff made me feel comfortable and welcome. The office is clean, modern, and has a relaxing atmosphere. Dr. Woods is incredibly skilled and gentle. They took the time to explain every step of my treatment and answered all my questions thoroughly. I’ve always been nervous about dental visits, but Simply Southern Smiles has completely changed my perspective. My teeth have never felt cleaner or healthier! If you're looking for a top-notch dental experience in Statesville, look no further than Simply Southern Smiles. Five stars all the way!"
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review! We are thrilled to hear that you felt comfortable and welcomed during your visits. Our team strives to provide a relaxing atmosphere and thorough explanations of your treatment, so it’s great to know that this made a positive impact on your experience. We're delighted to hear that you’ve noticed the difference in your dental health. Thank you for recommending Simply Southern Smiles!
Berenice D.
If you need braces Simply Southern Smiles is the best place you can go, the stuff is super friendly and doctor Woods is the best. I recommend this place 100%.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you had a positive experience with our team and Dr. Woods. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we look forward to continuing to provide excellent service. If you need anything else, feel free to reach out!
Ashley N.
Love Dr. woods and the whole staff! They’re always so friendly and nice. And quick to get the job done!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your positive feedback, Ashley! We're thrilled to hear that you love Dr. Woods and our staff. Providing friendly and efficient service is our top priority, and it's wonderful to know we've met your expectations. We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you again!
Amaya G.
I have been coming here for the past three years and there was never a bad experience. The staff are all kind and wonderful, I will truly miss coming here for my appointments.🥲
Response from the owner:Thank you for your heartfelt review, Amaya. We're thrilled to hear that you've had such a positive experience with us over the years. Your loyalty means a lot, and we'll miss having you here for your appointments as well. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors!
Keshara S.
Dr. Woods and his staff were always knowledgeable and willing to help anytime needed. The office does a great job making and keeping appointments. I have a great smile now thanks to his team. I would recommend them to anyone looking for orthodontics!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and for recommending us! We're thrilled to hear that you're happy with your smile and that our team was able to assist you effectively. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and it's great to know we met your expectations with our service and appointment scheduling. We appreciate your support and look forward to helping more patients like you!
Valerie G.
Dr. Woods and his team work together in a pleasant atmosphere; where you can tell they respect their patients and care about their feelings. It is a happy place; and you generally feel good about your visit! I am very happy with my results thus far; though I am not completely finished yet!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Valerie, for your wonderful review! We truly appreciate your kind words about Dr. Woods and our team. It's great to hear that you feel respected and cared for during your visits. We're thrilled that you're happy with your results so far and look forward to continuing to support you on your journey. Your satisfaction means a lot to us!
Blair B.
Great experience every time we’re there! Always welcoming, knowledgeable, and friendly!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words, Blair! We’re thrilled to hear that you consistently have a great experience with us. Our team strives to provide welcoming and knowledgeable service, and your feedback is truly appreciated. We are thrilled with your results! Share the smile proudly! Sincerely, Dr. Woods & Team!
Myla M.
They did an amazing job on my teeth! I always felt welcomed and cared for every visit. Highly recommend Dr. Woods and his staff.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words, Myla! We’re thrilled to hear that you felt welcomed and cared for during your visits. It's always our goal to provide amazing service, and we appreciate your recommendation. Looking forward to seeing you at your next appointment!
Howard H.
Dr Woods more than surpassed our expectation. When we first went there and had our son diagnosed he gave us the time frame in which he was able to complete it several months early no doubt due to his expertise and awesome staff! It almost makes me wish I had to get braces thanks so much Dr Woods.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words, Howard! We're thrilled to hear that Dr. Woods and our team were able to exceed your expectations and complete the process ahead of schedule. Your son's care is our top priority, and we appreciate your trust in us. We hope to continue providing excellent service in the future!
Taylor C.
Simply southern smiles has been amazing, I absolutely recommend Dr woods to anyone in the area!!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you had a great experience with Dr. Woods at Simply Southern Smiles. Your recommendation means a lot to us. We look forward to serving you and the community in the future!
Randy L.
Dr. Woods and the staff are very friendly and professional. You cannot go wrong with Simply Southern Smiles.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review, Randy! We're delighted to hear that you had a positive experience with Dr. Woods and our team. Your kind words and support mean a lot to us. We are thrilled with your results, and we could not be prouder of your effort and commitment along the way Sincerely, Dr. Wood & Team!

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Orthodontic treatment is a long-term, ongoing process. Knowing this, we strive to make your orthodontic treatment in our office a positive experience. We take pride in being a very friendly, family-oriented office.

Statesville, NC

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1601 Davie Ave.
Statesville, NC 28677

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Tuesday8:30am-1pm & 2-5pm
Wednesday8:30am-1pm & 2-5pm
Thursday8:30am-1pm & 2-5pm
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