The “no pain, no gain” mentality isn’t just applicable to athletes. People with braces share in the struggle too.

That first fitting at the orthodontist. The regular tightening of the brace for months afterward.

The pain that comes along with these procedures is endured. Because in the end, the wearers get to have a beautiful smile, increased confidence, and improved oral health.

If you have braces on, you also know that certain everyday activities can result in extreme discomfort.

Opening a bag of chips with your teeth can loosen a band. Playing contact sports could cause the brace itself to get dislodged.

Such scenarios can be avoided by caring for braces. And of course, being careful about the food you eat.

Luckily, you don’t need to live on a soft diet. Knowing what food to avoid and making a few simple changes will allow them to enjoy a variety of meals.

Top 5 Foods to Avoid With Braces

Wearing braces will mean some minor adjustments to your diet. To do that, you need to be educated on the food items that you can and can’t have.

Below are some of the basic foodstuffs to avoid so you don’t damage your braces. If you have specific dietary restrictions, talk to a local dental practitioner.

There is no shortage of capable professionals in Canada. If you’re in Grimsby, a good dentist in Hamilton should be able to answer your questions.

Hard Fruits

Fruits that are difficult to bite into could be problematic for your dental brace parts. Apples, pears, and the like can bend the wires on braces and knock off brackets.

Substitute hard fruits for softer ones like strawberries and mangoes. These won’t put a strain on the braces and are equally delicious.

Raw Vegetables

Carrots, cauliflower, and broccoli are to be avoided as well. Like hard fruits, it can cause potential damage to the oral appliance. When eaten raw, these vegetables can loosen brackets and wires, causing delays in treatment.

Blending raw vegetables with some leafy greens will allow brace wearers to still get their ‘5 a day’.

Hard-Crusted Bread

The hard crust on French bread, like baguettes and boules, could pose a risk for the bands and wires on dental braces. The force needed to chew on them can cause parts of the brace to break or come off.

Untoasted whole wheat bread is a great alternative for satisfying your sandwich craving.

Bagels

A bagel has a chewy texture that puts a strain on the metal fitting surrounding the teeth. Many are also coated in seeds or have fillings like raisins or nuts. These can get stuck between the brackets and make them hard to clean.

Swap out that multi-seed bagel for some warm oatmeal with a drizzle of honey. It’s just as a filling and can sustain the body till lunchtime.

Meat for the Bone

Eating meat straight off the bone is never a good idea if you have a dental appliance. It may cause a bracket to pop off. It’s also best to avoid chewier meats because tiny pieces could get lodged between the gaps and cause tooth decay.

Always remove the meat from the bone. Substitute tougher meat like steak for chicken or even fish.

Top 5 Best Foods for Braces

You now know what food items to avoid. Now, have a read of what sweet and savoury options you can indulge in with braces on.

Soft Fruits

Soft fruits are totally acceptable when you’re in braces. In fact, they are encouraged so you can still keep a balanced diet.

Many fruits will be at peak sweetness if you happen to start your braces during the summer months. Softer citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit will provide a soothing chill, a tart taste and a bit of sweetness.

Cooked Vegetables

Steamed or boiled veggies are the perfect food for dental brace wearers. Cooked veggies are soft enough to enjoy yet still have enough flavour and texture to be palatable.

There are endless varieties available. Cooked vegetables are packed with a variety of vitamins and minerals. You get potassium, folate, Vitamin A, Vitamin C etc. Vegetables are often high in dietary fibres, which have cholesterol and blood pressure-lowering benefits.

Soft Bread

Bread that is soft and pillowy on the inside and has a soft crust is ideal. It is satisfying on its own or in a sandwich. You don’t have to anticipate a painful bite when eating dinner rolls or brioche buns.

Crumpets

A crumpet is an English pastry with a light, airy texture. It is an excellent breakfast food to eat with braces. You can lightly toast them and then smear on some butter or your favourite seedless jam!

Lean Boneless Meat

Boneless meat will satisfy your belly. It also ensures that you still have access to one of the readiest protein sources in the human diet.

How to Care For Your Braces

Eating the right kinds of food means that you don’t accidentally damage your braces. However, proper care is still the key to maintaining them.

The Basics

Dental hardware requires careful cleaning because plaque bacteria are easily trapped inside and around them.

Take off all the removable parts like bands of your orthopedic appliance. Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle. Start cleaning around the wires and pins. Take your time with this, so all plaque and debris are removed.

Brush your teeth next. Clean each tooth individually by moving in a circular motion throughout the inner and outer surfaces.

Finally, floss at least once a day. Your dentist can demonstate the best way to do it. Additionally, you may want to purchase a flossing product designed for braces and orthodontic work, like a floss threader.

Regular Orthodontist Visits

Having braces means seeing your orthodontist regularly for adjustments to your appliance. These visits are also an opportunity to talk to your dental professional about any problems or concerns you may have with your braces.

Regular dental visits are essential while undergoing orthodontic treatment. Cavities and signs of gum disease are normally spotted during routine checkups. Your hygienist may also perform fluoride treatments to provide additional protection to tooth surfaces from decay while you’re in braces.

Pros of Braces

Beautiful and straight teeth
Improve self-confidence and self-esteem
Save money on expensive dental procedures later in life

Cons of Braces

Very noticeable
Hard to clean
May cause pain and discomfort

If you want to have that megawatt smile, it is best to consult the best orthodontics in Hamilton. Get in touch with Dentistry on 7th today!

“Our dental clinic practices excellence in dentistry with optimum care”

– Dentistry on 7th

Planning to Get Braces? Call Dentistry on 7th Now!

Beautiful teeth not only boost a person’s self-confidence. It also prevents a host of oral problems from cropping up in the future.

A lot of dental clinics are scattered in the province of Ontario. However, only a few offer advanced orthodontic services. If you live southwest of Toronto, consult with reliable Hamilton orthodontics for your first set of braces.

Dr. Sarna and his team at Dentistry on 7th will walk you through the entire process, get you fitted, and educate you on the dos and donts of caring for your orthodontic appliance, including what to eat.

Looking for a more discreet and more comfortable alternative? This dental clinic on Upper Gage Avenue can fix you up with Invisalign braces so you can get that confident smile.