Foods to Avoid with Braces Corpus Christi TX When you have braces, it's important to be mindful of the foods you eat to avoid damaging your braces and ensure effective treatment. Following certain guidelines and being cautious about your diet, and how you care for your braces overall, can help ensure a successful and comfortable orthodontic treatment experience.Why Do You Need to Protect Your Braces?Protecting your braces is about more than just ensuring a speedy and successful treatment — though that is certainly important too! Failure to properly protect your braces can complicate your treatment, but it can also negatively impact your health, and possibly even necessitate other types of dental intervention. If teeth fail to correct themselves, or if damaged braces facilitate bacterial build-up, then you may be at risk of cavities and periodontal disease. The Most Common Ways Braces Are DamagedToday's braces are made of durable materials, so damage is pretty rare. Most damage that does happen is the result of rough-and-tumble physical activity, often sports such as wrestling or football. When braces get damaged, they can sometimes cut the inside of your mouth, or may crack or even knock out a tooth. If this happens your treatment may need to be entirely halted before being resumed. Food RestrictionsOne of the most important things that you need to be aware of when it comes to protecting your braces is your diet. There are a number of different foods that should be avoided during the course of your orthodontic treatment. In general, there are three main types of food to stay away from. Crunchy foods, such as popcorn, chips, and apples, can get caught in between the brackets and wires and may be difficult to dislodge. If you don't brush after every meal, cavities may develop. Hard foods, like pizza crust, jerky, and nuts, can cause physical damage to the braces themselves. Sticky foods should also be avoided. Chewing gum, chewy candies, and many other sweets are prone to getting caught in the brackets and wires. This is not the only reason to avoid sweets, even if they are not sticky. Any sugary foods should be consumed very carefully and always in moderation. While sugar is always a risk for your teeth, this is even more true with braces. When sugary foods get trapped in your braces, remaining in contact with your teeth for hours at a time until they are brushed out, this is like an all-you-can-eat buffet for bacteria since they are given unimpeded access to your teeth. Athletic Mouthguards for BracesIf you play sports, especially contact sports or other physical activities with a heightened risk of physical harm, then we strongly urge you to get an athletic mouthguard that can be worn over your braces. Dedicated, custom-fitted orthodontic mouthguards are ideal because these do not get in the way of the braces and also offer the best protection. If you need help finding a high-quality orthodontic mouthguard, you can call us for more information. Orthodontic Treatment at Star OrthodonticsIf you have any concerns or questions about your braces or dietary restrictions, consult our orthodontist for personalized advice. |
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