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  • Our Practice
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Logo Forest Hills Orthodontic Associates in Forest Hills, NY
Main Menu
  • Our Practice
    • About Us
    • What Sets Us Apart
    • Meet Dr. Mizrahi
    • Our Technology
    • Patient Reviews
  • Orthodontics
    • Braces
      • Types of Braces
      • Braces for Kids
      • Braces for Teens
      • Braces for Adults
      • Braces FAQ
      • Payment Calculator
    • Invisalign
      • What Is Invisalign?
      • Invisalign for Kids
      • Invisalign for Teens
      • Invisalign for Adults
      • Invisalign FAQ
      • Payment Calculator
    • Other Orthodontic Services
      • Teeth Whitening
      • TMJ Treatment
      • Sleep Apnea Treatment
      • Surgical Orthodontics
      • Types of Appliances
      • Mouthguards & Retainers
  • Patient Resources
    • Your First Visit
    • Before and After
    • New Patient Form
    • Financial Information
    • Orthodontic Emergencies
    • Life With Braces
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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 properly take care of your braces throughout your entire orthodontic treatment.

Eating with Braces

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

Foods to Avoid with Braces:

• Chewy foods — bagels, licorice
• Crunchy foods — chips, ice, chicken bones
• 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.

Loose Teeth

If your teeth begin feeling a little loose, don’t worry; this is normal! Your braces must first loosen your teeth to move them into the right position. Once your teeth have been repositioned, they will no longer be loose.

Loose Wires and Bands

The wires and bands on your braces may come loose. If this happens, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can check and repair your appliance. If any piece of your appliance comes off, be sure to save it and bring it to the office with you.

You can temporarily fix the loose wire by using the back of a spoon or the eraser end of a pencil to carefully and gently push the wire back into place. If the loose wire is causing irritation to your lips or cheeks, put wax or a wet cotton ball over the broken wire to relieve the pain.

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 consistently wear the rubber bands, headgear, retainer, or other appliances prescribed by your doctor.

Playing Sports with Braces

Game, Set, 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 your doctor know if you need help finding the right mouthguard for the best protection.

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

Forest Hills Orthodontic Associates in Forest Hills, NY

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Forest Hills Orthodontic Associates in Forest Hills, NY

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patient REviews

Experience 5-Star Care

Creating lasting relationships with our patients means we’ve been able to see the smiles of multiple family generations. 

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Mehreen K.
Great experience, only took a year and a half and have beautiful straight teeth now. Would recommend Dr. Mizrahi to anyone.
Melinda S.
Really takes care of your teeth! He does a great job to correct your overall smile! I was a patient of Dr.Mizrahi for 4 years. Before & after Covid!
Yoni M.
Amazing service and care! Highly recommend.
Christopher P.
He’s the best. Completely changed my mouth and smile. I honestly couldn’t be happier. I came from Brooklyn for him. He’s that good.
Joan D.
I love everything about this place and always look forward going there. Dr. Mizrahi acta very professional and polite. The staff they're warm knowledgeable
Lizette R.
Dr Mizrrahi and team was nothing but amazing! Lucia was so welcoming and made my visit extra welcoming thank you
Shmuli O.
Great doctor, well experienced and knowledgeable!

Highly recommend!
Angie R.
Wonderful !! The clinical staff always friendly, helpful and professional. The clinic very clean and organized. They did a Great job with my brother Dylan’s.
Anna G.
*Update February 2025*
Dr. Mizrahi has been extremely considerate; despite all these difficulties I have been through. I will provide a more detailed update once I complete my treatment -- really look forward to it.

Follow-up June 2024/ Invisalign treatment can be challenging sometimes but Dr Mizrahi creates a warm, encouraging environment for you to be strong and disciplined.

Dr Mizrahi and his associates are very professional, courteous and considerate of client needs. I highly recommend Dr Mizrahi to everyone who deserves a beautiful smile.
Miguel M.
“The staff are incredibly kind and welcoming, making the entire experience so much more comfortable. The doctor is highly professional, attentive, and takes the time to explain everything clearly. Highly recommend!”
Patient Testimonial Forest Hills Orthodontic Associates in Forest Hills, NY
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We’re excited to meet you and have you start your dream smile journey at Forest Hills Orthodontic Associates.
Location
  • Forest Hills110-35 Jewel Ave.
    Forest Hills, NY 11375
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  • (718) 897-6666
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