Orthodontic treatment is used to correct a patient’s misaligned teeth or jaws. These types of treatments can last from 6 months up to 3 years since the proper alignment process takes time even with the most advanced tools, as suggested by Ortho Richmond. Therefore, patients need to adjust their lifestyles to achieve the most out of their orthodontic treatment experience. According to the experts offering TMJ-TMD treatment Richmond and nearby areas, if you are undergoing any kind of treatment, you need to take care of your diet. There is certain food one should avoid with braces while undergoing.
If you are someone who enjoys the food and loves eating a colorful plate full of diverse delicacies before you actually began wearing braces, it can be more than difficult to maintain a nutritional and wholesome diet while you are under the influence of orthodontic treatment. It will be hard for you to resist your taste buds and hence, all it takes is some creativity and a clear mindset to make that happen. Through some simple and effective ways, you can eat a tasty and healthy diet while still taking great care of orthodontic-friendly food.
What Should You Avoid Eating With Orthodontics?
With the growing popularity and advanced technologies with braces, people can afford the orthodontic treatment in much lesser amounts, especially if you stay somewhere near Richmond since braces price in Richmond is quite affordable. It is important to note here that wearing braces does not mean you have to consume only soft and smooth food until they are removed.
The exact rule requires you not to eat anything that would consume any extra effort to remove the stuck food particles in the crevices of the teeth afterward. The brackets and wires are the most important components of braces and due to this, having even the smallest amounts of a certain food that can get stuck in them will be quite difficult to remove. Therefore, if not removed, these food particles make breeding grounds for bacteria, which can eventually lead to acids thus producing cavities and decayed teeth making you vulnerable to more oral complications.
Foods to Avoid
Your orthodontist would advise you that making a conscious effort to select an orthodontic-friendly diet would increase the efficiency and success level of your Orthodontic treatment. The following are some examples of types of food to avoid while undergoing orthodontic treatment in your diet.
- Chewy food such as bagels, crusty bread and pizza.
- Sticky food and snacks including sweets and candies.
- Crunchy food such as pretzels, popcorn, chips and fries.
- Hard or raw fruits and vegetables.
- Hard food, especially made from whole grains.
- Bones or meat.
- Nuts and seeds.
Apart from the hard food that can directly hinder your braces, it is fine to give in to a rare craving for your favorite food but do remember to take the extra amount of time and effort needed when you clean your mouth and braces after indulging in such practices.
What You Should Eat?
Most food items that are gentle on your teeth and do not leave sticky leftovers are fine when you are undergoing orthodontic treatment. Therefore, it is necessary that you make your diet as nutritious and as healthy as possible since consuming a diet that is not balanced according to our RDI or recommended daily intake can negatively affect other parts of your body, and it will no longer be about just your oral health.
The following are some of the food and snack items as mentioned by Ortho, Richmond that you can enjoy during orthodontic treatment without facing any issues:
- Dairy products.
- Soft bread or slices.
- Seafood.
- Soft meats.
- Pasta.
- Soft rice.
- Fruits.
Bottom Line:
With all that your knowledge, it is also observed that once you complete the orthodontic treatment, it is acceptable to treat yourself with some chewy sweets and candy such as ice cream, milkshakes, and soft cookies once in a while, but your overall sugar consumption should be very minimal. When you eat fruits, try to avoid immature and hard fruits that require excess biting and chewing into them such as apples and unripe pears. It is also recommended to avoid highly seedy fruit that tends to get stuck in the crevices of your teeth and braces. Also, Keep in mind to cook your vegetables and starchy foods until they are soft and tender before actually consuming them.
