Getting orthodontic braces is something that many people have to deal with and it is not limited to certain age groups. Adjusting to life when you have braces can be interesting and difficult. It is important that wearers know how to take care of their braces and learn some tips to improve their overall experience. Proper care of your braces and shorten the length of time needed wearing them and allow you to enjoy straight, clean, and healthy teeth when they are removed.
Eating With Braces
It’s obvious that some foods are better avoided when wearing braces. Popcorn, gum, and potato chips tend to be the biggest culprits of making life with braces more difficult. These products should be avoided at all costs. Gum and popcorn can actually damage the braces themselves resulting in a costly bill and extended time wearing the braces.
Additionally, anything sticky or chewy can be problematic for braces wearers. This includes items such as licorice or gummy bears. It’s recommended to also stay away from hard or crunchy items that can destroy your braces. These include hard candies and nuts. Finally, any food that needs to be repeatedly bitten into such as an apple or corn on the cob can be very difficult to eat.
Friendly Foods
Don’t worry, there are plenty of friendly foods that wearers of braces can eat with no problems! Almost all dairy items are recommended by experts for consumption. This includes pudding, cream cheese, milk shakes or anything with a similar substance.
Softer foods such as muffins, pancakes, or pasta pose little to no threat to the braces and can be consumed without worry. If you are a seafood lover, then braces may not pose such a hinderance to you. Most seafood items such as tuna and salmon are encouraged while you are wearing braces.
Dealing With Discomfort
It’s not unusual for your teeth to feel uncomfortable or sore during the tenure of wearing braces. It’s important to realize that this feeling is caused by your mouth adjusting to the changes in your teeth. The change you feel will be the big change in your teeth when your braces are removed. To help combat the discomfort, some experts recommend creating a salt solution based on 1 tsp. of salt and 8 ounces of lukewarm water. Using this solution as a form of mouthwash and swishing it around for a few minutes can help dull the pain.
One of the most overlooked aspects of wearing braces is the feeling of “loose teeth”. Many wearers complain that their teeth feel loose and are concerned they will fall out. If you think about it, that sensation makes sense. The teeth are actually being loosened by the braces so they can be re-arranged into the proper position. Only a tiny fraction of braces wearers actually lose a tooth and this feeling will subside when the teeth settle into their new home.
It’s important to remember how beneficial braces can be. Being able to overlook the downfalls and staying positive to get through the experience will set you up for straight and healthy teeth for the rest of your life.
Dr. Mike Mavrostomos is passionate and top-quality comprehensive care dentist located in Bedminster, NJ whose continual pursuit of education and state-of-the-art dentistry has led to his being recognized as one of New Jersey’s Top Dentists by the New Jersey Top-Docs committee. Check out our website, reviews, & Facebook page. Connect with us and learn!