Orthodontists and dentists sometimes recommend that you wear braces, for straightening or for correcting the alignment of your teeth. Braces can also help in dealing with other dental problems like, overbite, underbite or gaps in teeth. Rockingham Dental Centre can help you with the treatment.
There will be a drastic improvement of your teeth, once you start wearing braces, but it is a process that can take days or even weeks for the teeth to adjust to the extra pressure that is put on them. During the first few days, you may also feel some pain, and find some irritation of your gums and the area around your teeth.
But if you talk to others who have had braces, they will tell you that the hardest thing that they had to adjust to, was that they had to give up the eating of some foods that they loved. Certain foods cannot be eaten when you have braces, because they can get stuck to the braces and cause them some damage.
Let us look at the food that you can eat as well as those that you cannot eat once you wear braces, and what you need to do if your braces are damaged.
Eating after Your Braces Are Just Fixed
Getting braces may not be very hurtful, but once you are done with your appointment with the dentist when the braces were fixed, you will find that for the next few days, your mouth is very sensitive. As a result, food with a tougher texture can cause you pain.
You will also need to learn to chew differently, and that is why most orthodontists recommend that, for the first few days, you only eat food that is soft.
The foods that are ideal for eating during this time are:
Scrambled eggs
Mashed Potatoes
Yogurt
Soups
Grains
Oatmeal
Seafood
Soft cheese
Soft fruits
Vegetables that are soft or cooked
Pasta
Moist desserts
All of these foods are those that are easy to chew.
A few days after you have started wearing braces, you will find the sensitivity of your teeth showing an improvement. That is the time when you can think of starting your typical diet.
Once You Have Braces, This Is the Food You Need to Avoid For Some Time
Ice cream
Thick Cuts of Meat
Thick Bread or Rolls
Food that is spicy
Citrus foods
You can start eating these once your teeth have adjusted to the braces.
Dental Health Must Be Maintained After You Have Braces Fixed
You can avoid damage to your braces if you take care to maintain good dental habits. Brush your teeth after every meal, or at least three times a day. Do the brushing with a brush that has soft bristles.
The space around the braces needs to be given extra attention. Remove food particles from between the wires and braces with the floss that you regularly use to floss your teeth. The use of a floss threader can make this easier.
You also need to visit not only your orthodontist, but also your dentist, for checkups and having your teeth cleaned. Plaque buildup is removed with dental cleaning. This plaque, if not removed, will contribute to gum disease and cavities.
Your visit to the orthodontist will ensure that your braces remain properly fitted.
Dentists often recommend that you use a fluoride mouthwash, as this can not only strengthen your teeth but lower the risk of their decaying.
You can also prevent damage to your braces by learning how to chew in different ways. Use your back teeth for chewing instead of those at the front, as these teeth are stronger. This is best when you are eating thick bread or meat, and will prevent any damage to your braces.