Wearing dental braces to improve the alignment of your teeth affects your eating routine. This usually means that you have to control what you eat for the duration of the treatment. It also involves sacrificing some snacks and goodies that you are used to. Following a dietary guideline while wearing braces prevents cavity and gum infections.
The first item to avoid is hard food. Although metal braces are sturdy, they are still prone to breaking when excessive pressure is applied. Chewing on hard food might cause the wires and brackets to disengage, leading to treatment failure. Examples of hard food to keep away from are popcorn, nuts, candies, and pretzels. Foods with tough and thick consistencies such as waffle cones and rich breads have to be avoided, as well.
Likewise, sticky food poses a threat to braces, too. While sticky food items do not require significant chewing forces, they can still pull the braces apart because of their glutinous nature. In addition, they are difficult to dislodge from the metal surfaces. Orthodontists in large cities like Lubbock, Texas recommend limiting sticky food intake at least within the duration of the treatment.
Sweet food and drinks are also prohibited as they can trigger cavity formation. Any experienced orthodontist in Lubbock or another city would say that the sugar in these items serve as bacterial breeding grounds. The acids produced by bacteria attack the enamel to form cavities. The dental brace treatment is useless if the aligned teeth have to be extracted because of severe caries. Â Â Â
An orthodontist in Lubbock TX or another area also warns against highly pigmented food and beverages. The stains these items leave on the teeth and in between the braces are difficult to remove. If they remain on the teeth for extended periods, severe discoloration occurs. This calls for a higher degree of treatment than mere brushing and flossing.
Lastly, avoid food that is hard to chew. This mostly pertains to size. You should strike out hoagie-style sandwiches, thick steaks, and other items that require too much space and chewing pressure from your diet for the meantime. An orthodontist in Lubbock or a different city would tell you about the danger of these foods for the braces.
The first item to avoid is hard food. Although metal braces are sturdy, they are still prone to breaking when excessive pressure is applied. Chewing on hard food might cause the wires and brackets to disengage, leading to treatment failure. Examples of hard food to keep away from are popcorn, nuts, candies, and pretzels. Foods with tough and thick consistencies such as waffle cones and rich breads have to be avoided, as well.
Likewise, sticky food poses a threat to braces, too. While sticky food items do not require significant chewing forces, they can still pull the braces apart because of their glutinous nature. In addition, they are difficult to dislodge from the metal surfaces. Orthodontists in large cities like Lubbock, Texas recommend limiting sticky food intake at least within the duration of the treatment.
Sweet food and drinks are also prohibited as they can trigger cavity formation. Any experienced orthodontist in Lubbock or another city would say that the sugar in these items serve as bacterial breeding grounds. The acids produced by bacteria attack the enamel to form cavities. The dental brace treatment is useless if the aligned teeth have to be extracted because of severe caries. Â Â Â
An orthodontist in Lubbock TX or another area also warns against highly pigmented food and beverages. The stains these items leave on the teeth and in between the braces are difficult to remove. If they remain on the teeth for extended periods, severe discoloration occurs. This calls for a higher degree of treatment than mere brushing and flossing.
Lastly, avoid food that is hard to chew. This mostly pertains to size. You should strike out hoagie-style sandwiches, thick steaks, and other items that require too much space and chewing pressure from your diet for the meantime. An orthodontist in Lubbock or a different city would tell you about the danger of these foods for the braces.