Hmmmm....let's see...
DON'T EVER bite into a burrito or hamburger or sandwich with your front teeth. You'll need 20 minutes of cleanup time afterward! YUCK! Bite from the side if you can.
DON'T eat nuts or cookies that contain nuts. They get stuck between your brackets and are very pesky. Popcorn can also be equally pesky.
DON'T eat tortilla chips in the first few months after getting braces. They're like little daggers in your mouth when you begin to chew them.
DON'T try to take really big bites out of sandwiches because it will be really hard to chew that much food. Cut the sandwich with a knife.
DON'T think that you're going to eat that piece of sushi in one big mouthful. Ask for a knife to cut it in half. Seriously.
DON'T get caught without a few dental cleaning supplies in your purse or pocket (a little dental pick or toothpick at least). Because you probably DO have that piece of spinach wrapped around your front tooth.
DON'T try to take off your braces with pliers.
DON'T bite on pencils or try to open plastic bags with your teeth.
DON'T freak out when your bite goes out of alignment in wacky ways. It's part of the process and it will improve.
DON'T eat curry or mustard right before an important meeting or date, unless you want your ligs to look dingy.
DON'T change your ligs often by yourself without telling your ortho about it. Changing your ligs too frequently could mess up your treatment.
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DO brush several times a day after meals if possible.
DO floss thoroughly at least once a day.
DO smile and be proud that you are taking positive actions to fix your teeth.
DO brush your teeth in public restrooms if you have to. To hell with what other people think!
DO wear headgear or appliances exactly the way your ortho or dentist told you.
DO wear your retainer for as many hours as your ortho says, regularly after your braces come off....unless you want to be back in braces in a few years... (for all you teenagers: do YOU want to pay thousands of dollars for the next round of braces when you are an adult? No? Then keep wearing your retainer, even when you're older!)
DO have patience and trust your ortho's judgement.