Most people who have just had braces feel worried, not knowing what they should not eat and what they should eat. In fact, food is one of the factors that can affect the stability of traction as well as the duration of the orthodontic process. If you are interested in nutrition issues when wearing braces, please refer to the following article. My Auris Dentistry will help you get the most accurate answer.
The doctor shares: What should you not eat with braces?
When wearing braces, you should avoid eating hard, chewy foods such as bones, ribs, sugar cane, and hard candy. Foods that are too hot or cold should also be avoided to protect tooth enamel. Crunchy, crumbly foods such as popcorn and potato chips should also be avoided. You also need to pay attention to the following issues:
Hard foods
Chewing hard foods such as Ice in drinks, hard candy, bones, etc. will have a great impact on molars, brackets and archwires, etc. Causing teeth to be easily sensitive, move out of position, and brackets and archwires are also more likely to break.
Foods containing high flexibility and stickiness
This type of food is considered the “essence” of people with braces, because to crush flexible, chewy, sticky foods such as sticky rice cakes, thick cakes, marshmallows,… will require molars to work more.
This will affect your teeth, causing you to feel pain. At the same time, sticky foods easily stick to braces and are difficult to clean. Over time, these foods will create favorable conditions for bacteria to grow, causing dental diseases.
Foods that are too hot or too cold
Foods that are too hot or too cold such as ice cream, hot pot, ice cubes,… can cause tooth sensitivity and pain. Because at this time, the teeth are under the pulling force of the appliance, so the tooth roots are quite weak and no longer as strong as before.
Food is crunchy and has a lot of crumbs
People with braces also need to limit crunchy foods with lots of crumbs such as bread, snacks, cookies, etc. Because food debris can stick deep in the braces or gaps that are difficult to clean and are easily left behind. Over time, it will cause dental diseases that prolong the time and effectiveness of orthodontics.
Candies and foods containing a lot of sugar
Foods such as cookies, candy, fast food,… always contain a lot of starch and sugar. It has the ability to increase the risk of producing acids that cause tooth decay or other diseasesoral pathology.
What foods should people with new braces supplement?
During the orthodontic process, doctors will ask patients to follow a reasonable nutritional regimen. This helps reduce impacts on appliances and braces while chewing. If you do not comply, they will affect the appliance and its future effectiveness.
Here are some foods that doctors recommend for people with braces to supplement:
Milk and foods made from milk
In the beginning, there is often a feeling of sensitivity and can lead to loss of appetite. Therefore, adding foods such as cheese, yogurt, soft butter, etc. will provide enough fat for the body to avoid weight loss and sunken cheeks.
Add soft foods
You need to eat soft foods, easy-to-chew stews such as soft rice, porridge, pho, soup, etc. Dishes such as meat, fish or shrimp need to be thoroughly cooked and shredded to avoid strong impacts on the teeth.
At the same time, foods such as cotton cakes Lan, soft bread, tofu,… are also suitable supplements for people with braces. They will help stimulate the appetite to quickly eliminate the feeling of tooth boredom.
Eggs and dishes made from eggs
Eggs are considered a national dish for people with braces. Because this dish is processed into many diverse dishes, it also provides many nutrients for the body’s daily activities.
But you should not overuse eggs. To ensure comprehensive health, you should only eat about 4 fruits a week and no more than 2 fruits a day.
Supplement vitamins from green vegetables and flowers fruits
Fresh fruits and vegetables are the most suitable foods for those with braces. Adding lots of fresh green vegetables and fruits will help provide enough fiber and vitamins necessary for the body’s development.
Why is it important? Is it important to eat when wearing braces?
When wearing braces, if you maintain proper scientific eating habits, it will help limit the occurrence of braces coming apart and breaking. This will help shorten the braces time most effectively.
- Note that if you eat tough, hard foods, it will easily cause the braces to quickly oxidize, leading to damage. Besides, it not only affects the effectiveness of braces but also damages the gums and soft tissues in the mouth.
- Eating and chewing carefully while wearing braces will help you effectively avoid pain and tooth sensitivity. Because during braces, the teeth will move to the correct position on the jaw, so they are somewhat weaker and more sensitive than normal.
- Eating properly while wearing braces also helps improve oral health, ensuring adequate nutrition for the body while still providing optimal orthodontic results. In particular, you can limit weight loss and sunken cheeks when wearing braces.
How long after braces can you eat normally?
Actually, you will have a little difficulty eating in two stages: the first 1 to 2 weeks after braces and the first 1 to 2 weeks. 3 days after routine replacement of elastics and archwires. People with braces can still eat and drink as normal during the two phases mentioned above, but you need to pay more attention to supplementing nutritious foods. Make sure the braces process is not affected. Some people may lose weight with braces, but there are also people whose weight does not change or even gain weight.
After removing the appliance and completing the braces process, it will be easier for you to eat and drink. The teeth have been adjusted to the correct position on the jaw and ensure good chewing function. Therefore, you can easily bite, tear, and crush food.
How to clean teeth for people with braces after eating
In addition to diet, oral hygiene is also an issue that many customers are concerned about. Because after installing orthodontic appliances, oral hygiene becomes more difficult. Below are some instructions from the doctor that people with braces need to follow:
- Only brush your teeth with a soft, thin-bristled toothbrush that can easily reach between teeth. If you have braces with braces, you need to use an interdental brush. It will help remove plaque on your teeth and not affect the braces.
- You should invest in specialized oral hygiene equipment such as water flosser, electric toothbrush, etc. These types of equipment will help clean more thoroughly and effectively remove leftovers.
- Absolutely do not use toothpicks, instead you need to use dental floss to remove all leftover food stuck in between your teeth after eating.
Hopefully the above information can help you know what you should not eat with braces. Paying attention to what you eat and drink while wearing braces will help you protect your oral health and avoid affecting the level of tooth movement. At the same time, don’t forget to regularly visit your doctor for examination and further advice on a safe diet for yourself. Through that, you can also limit the loss of appetite while wearing braces.
Yen Nhi
