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Wearing braces is an effective way to achieve teeth straightening and overcome issues of teeth and jaw which may include having an irregular bite, crooked teeth, or gaps between your teeth. A good orthodontist will take utmost care to ensure that your dental braces are being adjusted in the right way to achieve the desired teeth moment with time. However, a part of your responsibility is to maintain the braces throughout the treatment process by taking care of your oral health.
One of the major aspects of maintaining your dental braces is to know what kind of food items you should avoid for a seamless treatment. It is important to keep certain food items away from your daily diet to ensure that your braces are intact and that they are carrying out the required corrections. Maintaining good cleaning and eating habits will make sure that your treatment is carried out in the desired manner and timeframe.
Why Avoid Certain Types of Foods?
During the teeth straightening process with braces, brackets are fixed on your teeth and this process is known as bonding. Eating food items that are hard, chewy, or sticky affects the bonding between the bracket and the tooth. In some cases, the bracket can become loose or detach from your teeth which is known as bracket failure. This can increase the treatment time and the visit to your orthodontist as the brackets in your dental braces need to be replaced.
What Food Items to Avoid with Braces?
Avoiding certain types of food items will ensure that your teeth correction is well on track and your overall oral health is also maintained. Here are some food items you should avoid during your teeth correction journey.
- Hard or Crunchy Food Items
Hard or crunchy food items can put pressure on your brackets as you have to bite hard while eating. Popcorn, nuts, ice, firm pieces of bread, cookies, hard candy, etc. can be some of the food items you should avoid. These types of food items can cause bracket failure in most cases which will cause you to visit the dentist more often for replacement.
- Sticky Food Items
Food items that are sticky can get deeply stuck into your braces making it difficult to clean and remove them. Sticky food items such as dates, caramel toffee, chewing gum, sweets, etc. should be avoided or consumed in moderation. Sticky food items that get stuck in your braces can increase the risk of plaque formation.
- Raw Vegetables and Fruits
Avoid eating vegetables such as carrots, radishes, and beetroot in their raw form as they require rigorous chewing. You can boil the vegetables or cook them first to create a soft texture that will help you in chewing them comfortably. In terms of fruits, avoid fruits with a hard texture such as guava, pear, and pomegranate. These types of fruits can damage your bracket bonding with the teeth.
- Processed and Sugary Food Items
Food items with a high sugar content can attract bacteria when they get stuck in your teeth and braces. Food items such as sweets, chips, cakes, and pretzels should be consumed in moderation when you are wearing braces. You should ensure that you maintain the cleanliness and hygiene of your teeth properly after consuming such food items.
- Carbonated Drinks
Carbonated drinks also contain a huge quantity of sugars and the acid content in them can affect the bonding of your brackets. Make sure to cut out carbonated drinks completely during your teeth straightening process. If you choose to consume such drinks, make sure to use a straw every time.
Conclusion
Restricting certain types of food items while wearing braces or teeth aligners will ensure that you are experiencing a seamless correction process while maintaining good oral hygiene. Cutting out the above-mentioned food items will ensure that your treatment is carried out within the given set of time without any major issues.
