Many patients worry about having to make changes to their daily routine when wearing braces. However, a new life with braces in Riverside, California, does not have to be difficult! New Age Dental is pleased to provide the following guidelines to help make your time wearing braces as smooth as possible.
What Not to Eat:
- Hard or crunchy foods like popcorn, nuts, and hard candy.
- Sticky foods, as they can cause wire damage and loosen the brackets.
- Limit your intake of foods that are high in sugar. Braces can make proper teeth brushing difficult, and too much sugar generates plaque, which can cause tooth decay and gum disease.
Proper Hygiene:
It is important to execute proper oral hygiene so that you still maintain healthy teeth while straightening them. Brushing and flossing on a regular basis are of the utmost importance. Failure to do so can lead to stained teeth and increased plaque buildup. When plaque builds up around the wires, it can cause unsightly spotting on your teeth, and these spots are often permanent. Therefore, it is vital that you brush after meals and floss at least once a day.
Athlete Advice:
If you are an athlete with braces, you can still engage in sports. However, you must take certain precautions when playing contact sports such as football and basketball. To ensure the protection of your braces and teeth, Dr. Joseph Rajabi and Dr. Reza Rajabi suggest that you use a mouth guard. Using a mouth guard can prevent a variety of issues, including broken brackets, bent wires, and cut lips.
