Making Life Easier With Braces: Dos and Don’ts

DOS AND DON'TS

One of the most important concerns associated with orthodontic treatment and oral health is “braces maintenance”. When preparing braces in a professional dental lab, dental technicians aim at making sure that the patient experiences least discomfort while wearing this dental appliance. But, there are other important factors as well that help in maintaining problem-free braces. Here are some guidelines on eating habits for braces wearers along with some useful tips on how to deal with potential problems, arising from the use of braces.

Braces and Foods

Dentists typically recommend braces-wearers to avoid eating foods that are hard, chewy, sticky or crunchy. Although it can be really challenging to avoid some favorite foods, making short-term sacrifices is essential for long-term results. If braces-wearers don’t change their eating habits accordingly, they may face problems like broken braces or wires, which can be extremely painful.

It is best to avoid eating foods like caramel candies, chunky peanut butter, nuts and gummy bears while wearing braces. In fact, common snacks like popcorn and gum can also affect oral health. Braces-wearers should also be more careful when munching on chewy foods like bagels or crispy chips. Fruits and vegetables should be cut into small pieces before eating and the cob should be cut off before eating corn on the cob. The intake of soda and sugary beverages should be kept at minimum to avoid decay. Lastly, it is important to change tooth-damaging habits like chewing on ice, pencils and fingernails.