In the past decade, Invisalign has become an increasingly popular orthodontic treatment. Patients enjoy that it is slightly more discreet than clunky metal braces, so the aligners are a great choice for patients who want to avoid noticeable orthodontic devices while they are straightening your teeth. Though aligners are a great way to fix misaligned teeth, a lot of people still do not know much about them. One of the most commonly asked questions is from people wondering if the aligners take a long time to become effective.
Are you preparing to have braces for the next few months or years? You’re probably wondering how they’re going to affect your day-to-day life, especially when it comes to eating. One main question a lot of people have for their orthodontist is, “What kinds of foods will I be able to eat?” More importantly, though, are the types of foods you should steer clear of. Keep these tips in mind to keep your mouth healthy and happy!
FAQ
Which foods should I avoid?
When you have braces or Invisalign, it’s best to stay away from the following types of foods:
Chewy foods like licorice or bagels.
Foods that you bite into with your front teeth, such as corn on the cob or apples.
Sticky foods, especially gum and caramel.
Crunchy foods like ice, potato chips, and popcorn.
Hard foods like pizza crusts, pretzels, and cookies.
Extra hard foods like hard candies and nuts.
Eating these foods can cause damage, which can make the treatment last longer! Also avoid chewing on anything hard, like your nails or pens. It may be time to replace those nervous habits if you’re used to biting on things when you’re anxious! In addition to being careful of certain foods and not eating them too often, the following foods are completely off-limits, no matter what:
Hard candy
Corn chips
Popcorn
Jerky
Ice
Nuts
Pizza crust
Corn on the cob
Bubble gum
Sticky candy, like Starburst and Gummy Bears
Which foods can I enjoy?
Now that you know which foods you should stay away from, it’s time to enjoy the foods that you can eat! The following foods are completely fine to indulge in:
Dairy, including soft cheeses, yogurt, and pudding.
Bread that isn’t hard, including sandwich bread, tortillas, muffins, biscuits, and pancakes.
Grains, like soft rice, noodles, and pasta.
Soft-cooked meats and poultry, including lunch meat and meatballs.
Seafood, so long as it doesn’t have any bones. Enjoy tuna, crab, crab cakes and salmon.
Veggies, like peas, yams, beans, steamed spinach and mashed potatoes.
Soft fruits, like banana and applesauce, as well as fruit juice.
Desserts and treats including ice cream, smoothies, cake, milkshakes and Jell-O.
You can also eat eggs, hot dogs, chili and hamburgers!
What are some tips for eating with braces?
You should never bite into food with your front teeth, which is why you should steer clear of whole apples, pears, and other similar foods. However, even if the food isn’t hard, you should still avoid biting into it with your front teeth. For example, barbecue ribs may be soft, but biting into them with your front teeth can damage your hardware.
Just because you can’t bite into things like apples or corn on the cob, that doesn’t mean that you can’t eat them at all. Get in the habit of cutting your food into bite-sized pieces. It’s a good idea to chew with your back teeth instead of your front teeth, too. It’s especially important to chew with your back teeth if the food is extra hard.
Help for Sensitive Teeth
It’s common to have some tooth sensitivity for the few days after getting the hardware put on. Three to five days is a normal amount of time to feel some soreness and to have tender areas. Aside from avoiding certain foods, you can get some relief by rinsing your mouth with a mixture of one teaspoon of salt that’s been dissolved in eight ounces of warm water. You can also take a pain killer if the tenderness is difficult to deal. After a week or two, your teeth, tongue and cheeks will become accustomed to the new addition and they won’t be nearly as sore.
More Tips and Advice
Your orthodontist will give you advice about how to care for your new hardware. Here are a few additional tips to keep in mind as well:
For the first day, your teeth will be extra sensitive. Plus, you’ll be adjusting to the Invisalign or other hardware. Stick to soft foods for the first few days or until you get more comfortable.
You may think that some chewy candies are okay to eat because they’re not going to break the hardware in your mouth. However, even if these foods are gentle on your teeth for now, they can slowly cause damage over time. Over time, soft, sticky foods can dislodge the hardware or even cause tooth decay.
Don’t Forget to Brush!
One of the most important steps in caring for your hardware is to brush your teeth! Brushing and flossing are especially important after an orthodontic treatment. The cleaner you’re able to keep everything, the more effective the hardware will be.
Contact an Orthodontist Today
For moderate to severe malocclusions, you will need wire or ceramic braces that are attached to your teeth and remain in place for an average of two to four years. The brackets and wires of traditional braces are designed to apply pressure against the teeth to shift teeth into the correct positions. If you require traditional braces, then you will visit an orthodontist on a regular basis to have the wires adjusted. You might need to schedule an emergency visit with an orthodontist when a wire or bracket breaks. Teenagers and adults with mild malocclusions are candidates for clear plastic aligners that fit over the teeth and are easy to remove. To learn more about orthodontic braces, schedule an appointment today.
Are there foods I can’t eat with braces?
McDermott Orthodontist 708 Elm Ave. E. Delano, MN 55328 TEL: 763-972-4444
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Most people expect to have a flawlessly straight smile as soon as their orthodontic equipment comes off, but sadly, this does not always happen. Despite the best work of any orthodontist, it is not always possible to predict the precise outcome of teeth straightening procedures. This can lead to your smile still being slightly crooked after orthodontic devices are removed. There are a few different options available for you if you realize that you still are not happy with your teeth after your orthodontic devices are removed.
FAQ
What You Should Do If Your Teeth Aren’t Straight Enough
The first thing you should do if your teeth seem a little crooked still is talk to your orthodontist. Orthodontists want their patients to be happy with their results, so they will be willing to work with you and find a solution for your issues. Though it is quite rare, it is possible that your braces were removed too soon. So if the results are not quite what they should be, you may need to spend a little while longer with orthodontic appliances in your mouth. In some cases, traditional metal orthodontics can be reinstalled, but this is not always recommended if you just need a few minor changes.
How to Fix the Issue Without Getting Braces Put on Again
After spending so long waiting for your orthodonture to be removed, it is understandably upsetting to not be happy with the results. Many people realize that they do not want to have to go around with metal on their teeth anymore. Fortunately, there are a lot of other available methods for straightening teeth. Invisalign is a popular option because it consists of clear, plastic trays that realign teeth without being very visible. Some people are put off by the cost of Invisalign because you have to get multiple, custom-molded trays, but if you just need to straighten your smile a tiny bit more, it is very affordable. There are also headgear options that you can wear each night while you sleep to gradually shift your teeth a little farther. These devices can help to make a slow change if you just want your teeth to be slightly moved.
Cosmetic Dentistry Options
Sometimes, a person may think that they are unsatisfied because their smile is not straight enough, but this is not always the actual reason. A lot of discontent can actually be due to subtle color differences and abnormal tooth shapes in your mouth. If your smile still seems less than perfect even when your teeth are completely aligned, you may want to consider one of these cosmetic dentistry options:
Tooth Whitening
After wearing orthodontics for so long, some patients suffer from uneven staining on their teeth. You can schedule a tooth whitening appointment with a cosmetic dentistry office to lighten your teeth and remove stains. When your smile is sparkling and white, you might realize that your teeth do not actually need to be straighter.
Veneers
Sometimes, the cosmetic issue is not actually due to crooked teeth. It may be caused by teeth that are an unusual shape or size. This can be solved by affixing a thin yet durable veneer over the surface of the tooth. Veneers can be custom made to blend in with the rest of your teeth while making your smile look more regular.
Bonding
A single chipped or worn tooth might be making your smile look off even though your orthodontic procedures were successful. You can get a tooth colored material bonded to a slightly chipped tooth so that your overall smile looks more even and aesthetic.
How to Deal With Teeth That Seem to Be Getting Crooked Again
Another common issue happens when a patient is initially pleased with the result and then starts to think that their teeth are still too crooked. Most people assume that the orthodontics did not actually work, but what is truly happening is that their teeth are shifting. After orthodontics are removed, it takes a little time for the teeth to become firmly situated in the correct position. Therefore, it is very important to wear retainers or other types of orthodontic appliances that may be prescribed by your orthodontist for the correct amount of time. Not only will this prevent your teeth from getting crooked, but it can also help to correct minor shifts and movements among your teeth.
Contact McDermott Orthodontics to Learn More About Treatment for Adults
In Minnesota, you can visit McDermott Orthodontics to learn more about the orthodontic treatments that are designed for adults. Dr. Michael McDermott offers services to patients living in these areas:
At McDermott Orthodontics, our patients can receive treatment with these orthodontic devices:
• Damon system – self-ligating devices • Clear devices – made with clear brackets • Invisalign aligners – suitable for adults • Ceramic devices – made with color-matching brackets
With our top-of-the-line diagnostic equipment, we can determine how to improve the positions of your teeth with a few months or several years of orthodontic treatment. To learn more about orthodontic braces, schedule an appointment today.
Should I Consider More Treatment If I’m Not Happy After My Braces Are Removed?
McDermott Orthodontist 708 Elm Ave. E. Delano, MN 55328 TEL: 763-972-4444
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There is a thin line between smile and laughter – Santosh Kalwar
Taking your children to medical appointments can be a part of life for both the kids and you. And when the smile that brings so much light and joy to your life needs some work, you may find yourself referred to an orthodontist. This may cause concerns, fears, financial worry and even some tears, but have confidence that the process will flow smoothly. Having a bright, straight-toothed smile can do wonders for confidence.
https://www.mcdermottortho.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/8.McDer-May2017.png800800Mike Mc. Dermotthttps://www.mcdermottortho.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Logo-McDermott-Orthodontics.pngMike Mc. Dermott2017-05-25 10:00:002017-06-26 21:16:27There is a thin line between smile and laughter - Santosh Kalwar
Margi Preus is a children’s writer who believes that a smile becomes you while you are developing a personality. Smiling a lot means that you have high self-esteem and are comfortable with the way that your teeth look. An orthodontist will recommend having a child’s teeth examined when she gets her first permanent teeth. In some cases, a young child only needs partial braces to repair a few malocclusions so that the rest of her teeth can grow in the proper alignment. However, if you wait until your child is a teenager, then it becomes more difficult to straighten her teeth.
https://www.mcdermottortho.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2.McDer-May2017.png800800Mike Mc. Dermotthttps://www.mcdermottortho.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Logo-McDermott-Orthodontics.pngMike Mc. Dermott2017-05-18 10:00:002017-06-26 21:20:37A smile becomes you or perhaps you become you when you smile. ― Margi Preus
Some people seem to be blessed with perfect teeth, and it is natural to love your smile when everything seems to be perfectly straight. You may even take pride in never having had a cavity or always having a bright, white smile. For some people, oral health just seems to be a natural gift, yet you should know that appearance is sometimes deceiving. While going to see an orthodontist may seem unnecessary, scheduling a visit could reveal that you do have issues that need correction.
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Your smile is key to a good first impression. Make sure yours is beautiful and healthy. Crooked and overcrowded teeth are not only distracting but can also lead to poor dental health if not addressed.
An orthodontist is a dental specialist with specialized education beyond dental school encompassing the complexities of treating misaligned teeth. Their expert knowledge of tooth, jaw and facial anatomy is used daily.
https://www.mcdermottortho.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/1.McDer-May2017.png800800Mike Mc. Dermotthttps://www.mcdermottortho.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Logo-McDermott-Orthodontics.pngMike Mc. Dermott2017-05-11 10:00:002017-06-26 21:44:09Life is too short not to smile. Smile as much as you can. ― Steve Imig
Live a Happy Life While Straightening Your Misaligned Teeth
Having a happy life is possible when you straighten your misaligned teeth. When you have malocclusions of your teeth, it can lead to a bad bite that causes additional health problems. You might develop the temporomandibular joint disorder, chronic headaches or pain inside your ears from having a bad bite. While wearing braces or Invisalign aligners will create a gorgeous smile, orthodontic treatment is also essential for your overall well-being. If you suspect that you have a bad bite, then you should schedule an appointment with an orthodontist as soon as possible.
https://www.mcdermottortho.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/McDermott3-April2017.png600800Mike Mc. Dermotthttps://www.mcdermottortho.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Logo-McDermott-Orthodontics.pngMike Mc. Dermott2017-05-04 10:00:002017-06-26 21:46:53This Is My Life, I'm Happy To Be Living It!
Children and adults alike tend to have a fear of having braces, due to everything from how they appear to the pain they could cause. This fear is completely natural and is nothing to be ashamed of. However, if you need to have your teeth straightened, it’s important to know that there are ways for you to overcome your fear of having these orthodontic appliances placed on your teeth. The end result is a beautiful smile with straight teeth. Many people who delay getting braces due to their fear only become more afraid of doing so as time passes. If fear is the only reason that you are not going through with having your teeth straightened, it’s possible to overcome this feeling.
https://www.mcdermottortho.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/portrait-1634421_960_720.jpg540960Mike Mc. Dermotthttps://www.mcdermottortho.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Logo-McDermott-Orthodontics.pngMike Mc. Dermott2017-05-02 10:00:002017-06-26 21:57:21How to Overcome Your Fear of Having Braces
Audrey Hepburn provided one of the most inspirational quotes when she said that nothing was impossible. She was correct. Nothing is impossible if you have the right person behind you. In the world of teeth correction, the orthodontist is the person who makes recovery quite possible. Even people who believe that they have the worst cases of teeth misalignment that they have ever seen in their lives can see a full recovery. A well-trained orthodontist can make that happen for them. He can do this using one of these two options:
