Wearing braces could cause discomfort and irritability most especially if you are not yet used to wearing one. Getting braces has its own perks and disadvantages. For example, there are certain foods you can’t eat with braces. You should modify your diet once you get metal braces, soft foods are more adviseable, and sticky foods like gum, hard chocolates and pretzels are to avoid.

Braces treatment takes a long period of time. This method usually lasts for 16 to 18 months depending on the actual state of the teeth before getting braces. In rare cases, this could extend for up to 2 years. This means 2 years of constant dental care, braces aftercare, and dental appointments.

Use Of Braces

The main purpose of dental braces is to treat and fix dental problems. We must try to take care of it properly by strictly following professional advice and suggestion in keeping dental braces damage-free.

Braces are made of several materials that orthodontists use to correct out of line or improperly adjusted teeth and jaws. Correcting the teeth position is important as it plays a vital role in our overall health. A misguided tooth can cause serious dental problems which may have irreversible effects on dental health. Wearing braces will resolve this dental problem.

It takes time before the teeth get fully fixed by braces that’s why there are certain rules to follow to help the braces do its function undisturbed. Foods to avoid, proper dental care, and braces aftercare are just some of the few things to consider when wearing braces.

Foods To Avoid While Wearing Braces

Not being able to eat your favorite comfort foods could be a really big bummer. But remember that you are only doing this so that you could enjoy your food even more after your braces are removed. Keep in mind that healthy teeth are equivalent to a happier eating habit. Here is the list of foods that you should avoid with braces;

• Sticky foods. Stuck gums or caramel could cause serious damage to the braces. Forcefully taking off of these sticky foods from braces can cut the archwire that connects the brackets attached to the teeth.
• Crunchy foods. Chips and popcorn can directly knock off brackets and wires leaving your braces in a complete mess. This is a situation you would not want to be in cause it will require immediate dental attention.
• Hard foods. Eating hard taco shells and peanuts may bend archwires. Try to eat slowly or slice the food into tiny pieces to avoid harm to the braces.
• Sugary foods. Sugar causes the rapid increase of acid on the mouth resulting in tooth decay. You wouldn’t want to have another tooth issue while you’re still in the process of correcting your teeth positioning.
• Chewy foods. Constantly eating chewy foods such as bagels and licorice can damage the rubber bands and wires of the braces.
• Foods that require biting effort. When wearing braces, even vegetables and fruits can become harmful. Foods like corn on the cob, an apple, and carrots require biting that can lead to breakage of the wires and bracket.

Using your teeth for other things aside from eating and chewing can also break your braces. Opening a cap of battle or a plastic bag of chips using teeth for example can cause the bracket to come loose. This will make the treatment process longer and may lead to a negative outcome.

Foods To Eat With Braces

Generally, when you finally started to adjust to your newly placed braces, you can eat anything you want given that you follow precautionary measures. But while you are still in the process of figuring out how to properly chew foods with braces, soft foods are more likely safer to eat. This includes:

• Dairy. Puddings and soft cheese are easy to chew and would not leave too much residue on the teeth.
• Grains. Cooked rice and soft pasta are okay to eat as long as you chew on them carefully.
• Bread. This food is easy to eat as it melts in the mouth and does not require extreme biting effort.
• Vegetables. Mashed potatoes and steamed beans are good to eat. Avoid eating uncooked vegetables as these foods can be hard to bite.
• Fruits. Some fruits like bananas and applesauce are a good substitute if you are craving to eat something sweet.
• Treats. Soft foods like ice cream, jellies, and milkshakes as long as taken with precautions are generally okay to eat.

The final result of your braces entirely depends on how you take care of it. You can also maintain the good shape of your braces by knowing the proper dental care needed for sustaining damage-free braces.

After Getting Braces

After the procedure of getting braces, there are few things that you need to keep in mind prior to leaving the dental clinic. First, check if the wire ends are not causing discomfort to your cheek. Sometimes, wires are left extended poking gums or tongue. Second, consult the dentist on your next step, know what are the important things for you to do until your next appointment takes place. Third, make sure that you have enough dental supplies to maintain the braces, dental waxes, cleaning aids, rubber bands, and all the other materials that you will be needing for proper braces care. Lastly, book you next appointment then and there, most of the time, the dentist will be the one to choose the date for you, make sure that you arrive on the exact date for your brace adjustment.

Damaged Braces

So what happens if your braces got damaged? Is there any way to fix it? If a bracket or wire breaks, try to stay calm and avoid touching the braces. As soon as this takes place, do not let the damage stay unfixed for a long period of time. There are things to follow when this occurs:

1. Check the wires and brackets to see the severity of the damage.
2. Do not attempt to replace the broken wires with other wires that you can find at home.
3. Book an appointment with your dentist immediately. Letting the damage sit for too long may lead to poor results.
4. While waiting for your appointment, avoid eating hard foods in the meantime.

Dental Braces Aftercare

You must continue taking care of your oral cavity as you used to, only this time, you will be adding more effort in doing so since you will also need to clean your braces. To avoid oral health problems, see the guide below:

1. Regular cleaning of teeth. When wearing braces, the normal brushing of teeth may not be enough. Gently brush the brackets and areas underneath the wires is important to remove plaque-causing tartar.
2. Floss once a day. Food particles stuck in between the teeth may not be cleaned by brushing alone. There are certain flossing products designed for people with braces.
3. Rinse and check. After brushing and flossing, check to see if you were able to clean all throughout your mouth.
4. Use mouthwash. This contains antiseptic which is essential in killing bacterias residing in the mouth. It is also important in fighting bad breath and preventing tooth decay.