Traditional braces in New Albany, Westerville, Pataskala, Newark and Powell, Ohio, are the most common form of orthodontic treatment because they are both effective and affordable when it comes to correcting alignment and bite problems. By using brackets and wires that are attached to the teeth, the teeth are gradually shifted into their proper alignment. While undergoing your orthodontic care with traditional braces in Westerville OH, you will need to step up your daily oral hygiene care, paying careful attention to brushing and flossing around the wires and brackets. To make oral care easier and to protect the braces from damage, there are certain foods you will need to stay away from while wearing your braces.
Foods to Avoid with Braces in Newark and Powell, Ohio
As a general rule of thumb, you’ll want to avoid any foods that are hard because they can cause damage to the wires and brackets. You’ll also need to avoid foods that are chewy or sticky because they not only damage the braces hardware, but are difficult to clean off of the braces. This will likely increase your risk for tooth decay as the sticky and chewy foods stay trapped in the tight spaces of the braces. Foods that you’ll want to avoid include popcorn, nuts, hard taco shells or corn chips, and even pretzels. You’ll definitely want to avoid sticky and hard candy, gum, and sticky or hard chocolates. And remember, please refrain from chewing on ice or eating anything else that’s overly hard, like crisp cookies.
In addition, there are certain foods that you can’t bite into using your front teeth while wearing your braces. This includes raw fruits and vegetables, as well as hard breads and rolls, chewy meats and burgers. It’s also best to avoid pizza crusts, sub sandwiches, and corn on the cob until your braces come off.
Alternative Foods for Braces in Westerville OH
While there are many foods you may not be able to enjoy while wearing braces in Pataskala OH, there are still many foods you can enjoy. If you need a yummy snack, grab a banana, yogurt or cheese stick. You can also snack on hulled popcorn, light or soft crackers and cookies or mashed potatoes. Soft fruits, like water melons, are perfect for those wearing braces, especially with the summer season coming up. While you may not be able to have hard tacos for dinner, you can instead opt for various pastas, like spaghetti, macaroni and cheese or ravioli! Now’s definitely the time to enjoy these Italian favorites!
Benefit from Braces in New Albany OH
At Shirck Orthodontics, we provide a number of orthodontic treatments for our patients, including traditional braces. We tailor your individualized treatment plan to give you the straighter smile you have always wanted. We want to see you have the best results possible while under our care, which is why we encourage you to eat properly to protect your pearly whites and your orthodontic appliance.
Should you have any questions or concerns about the foods you can and cannot eat while undergoing orthodontic care, please reach out to us at one of our locations. We are always more than happy to answer your questions to help you protect your beautiful new smile! If you are ready to achieve a straighter smile with traditional metal braces, Shirck Orthodontics and our amazing teams are here for you!