Oral Hygiene Care During Braces

THE CHALLENGES OF BRUSHING WITH BRACES

THE CHALLENGES: It won’t take long to realize that braces collect food when you eat. And soon after you will realize it is harder to brush and keep your teeth clean with braces on. YOU HAVE TO CHANGE THE WAY YOU BRUSH YOUR TEETH WHEN YOU HAVE BRACES. Please pay close attention to the detailed oral hygiene instructions we will give you when the braces are placed. If you every have any questions please ask.

Please click below on specifics of proper oral hygiene care while wearing braces:

SOME OF THE FOODS TO AVOID WITH BRACES

ABBA ZABBA – NOW N LATER – JOLLY RANCHER – HARD PRETZELS – POPCORN – LOLLIPOPS CANDY CANES – ICE - RAW HARD VEGETABLES LIKE CARROTS – PENCILS – FINGERNAILS WHOLE APPLES – CORN ON THE COB – CARAMELS – SKITTLES - SUNFLOWER SEEDS – TAFFY SUGARY GUM – ANY SOUR CANDY – SOUR PATCH KIDS – GUMMY BEARS – SODAS – PENS AIRHEADS – TOOTSIE ROLLS – STARBURSTS – SUGARY DRINKS – RED BULL – RED VINES JUJU BEES – JELLY BEANS – DRIED FRUIT ROLL UPS – LICORICE – BIT O HONEY – ROLOS WAR HEADS – SUGAR DADDIES – BEEF JERKY – HARD TACOS – LIFE SAVERS – BUBBLE YUM 100 GRAND – SKOR – BIG HUNK – TWIZZLERS – SWEET TARTS – GOOD & PLENTY – RING POPS HOT TAMALES – MIKE AND IKE’S – NERDS – MILK DUDS – DROPS – SUGAR BABIES – BOTTLE CAPS – WHOPPERS – BOSTON BEANS - SOUR CARMEL APPLE POPS – CANDY CORN – HEATH BAR – SWEDISH FISH – CARMAL CORN – BIG LEAGUE CHEW – SMARTIES – 5TH AVENUE – CHERRY HEADS – OH HENRY – HARD CANDY – CHARM’S BLOW POPS – ROCK CANDY – SOUR WORMS - ATOMIC FIREBALL – BOTTLE CAPS – AIR HEADS – LEMONHEADS – VALENTINE HEARTS – DUM DUMS – WAR HEADS – SKITTLES – PAY DAY – PEZ – DOUBLE BUBBLE SUGAR – RUNTS – TOXIC WASTE – JELLY BELLY – ROLO – NECCO – TOOTSIE POPS – SALT WATER TAFFY - FIRE.BALLS – FUN DIP – MARY JANES – CANDY APPLES – FROZEN BANANAS – POP ROCKS – HEATH BAR – ORANGE SLICES – ZOTS – VIOLET CRUMBLE - GOBSTOPPERS – BLACK COW – SLO POKE – WERTHERS ORIGINALS – HARD CRUST - CHUPA CHUPS – RING POPS – JUJY FRUITS – SUGARY DRINKS -ENERGY DRINKS – WHOLE APPLES -NUTS – CORN NUTS – WAR HEADS - DRIED FRUITS -CORN ON THE COB – APPLES – CARROTS – RIBS – CHICKEN WINGS – FINGER NAILS – PENCILS – PRETZELS – CRUSTY BREADS – SPARE RIBS (BONE) – POPCORN

BUT THERE ARE MANY GREAT FOODS YOU CAN ENJOY!

YOGURT – MAC N CHEESE – SOUPS – BURRITOS – EGGS – FISH – MASHED POTATOS – ICE CREAM – CAKE – PANCAKES – BANANAS – COOKED VEGETABLES – SOFT CHEESE – PUDDING SOFT BREADS – MUFFINS – RICE – MILK SHAKES – MEAT BALLS – SOFT SANDWICHES – LUNCH MEAT – CHICKEN – CRAB CAKES – JELL0 – APPLE SAUCE – SLICED FRUITS – GRAPES - BLUEBERRIES – KIWI – SMOOTHIES – SOFTER COOKIES – TUNA SALAD – CEREALS IN MILK – BAKED POTATO – GROUND BEEF – GUACAMOLE – COTTAGE CHEESE – REESE’S PEANUT BUTTER CUPS – HERSHY BARS – HARD BOILED EGGS – EGG SALAD – PIRATE’S BOOTIE – SPAGHETTI WITH MEATBALLS - PUDDING – BEAN AND CHEESE BURRITOS – CUT UP CARROTS MEATLOAF. SWEET POTATOES – CROCK POT DISHES – PUMPKIN PIE – CHILI – FETTUCINI ALFREDO – CHICKEN ENCHILADAS - BEEF STROGANOFF – LASAGNA – CORN OFF THE COB – OATMEAL – CHICKEN LETTUCE WRAPS – ORANGE SLICES – STEW – TURKY CHILI – WHITE CHOCOLATE – REESE’S PIECES – SOFT ICE CREAM – CREM BRULEE – JUNIOR MINTS – 3 MUSKATEERS – STRING CHEESE – KIT KAT BAR – HERSHEY’S KISSES – M & M (PLAIN ONLY – CRUNCH BAR – COOKIE and CRÈME HERSHEY – BRIE CHEESE – PROSCUITTO – MEATLOAF – QUESADILLA- CUP-0-NOODLE SOUP – ORANGE SLICES – HAMBURGER – BITE-SIZE PIZZA – CREPES – ICE CREAM – SCRAMBLED EGGS – RIB MEAT OFF THE BONE

BUT WHY?

Hard or Sticky Foods like Jolly Ranchers, Now ‘n’ Laters, etc.

Do damage by bending wires, loosening the cement under the bands or breaking the brackets,
Cause cavities and permanent discoloration to your teeth.
Broken braces and wires results in longer time in treatment.

Healthy foods like apples, corn on the cobb, ribs, etc

Will deform wires and break braces off your teeth.
Slice apples, cut corn off the cobb, meat off of bones and enjoy!

Why no Popcorn?

Last but Is one of the worst foods you can eat with braces or expander.
Popcorn gets lodged in your braces an gums and causes bleeding and even infection.
You should not have popcorn under any circumstance while you are in treatment. Try Pirates Booty as a substitute.

Acidic Foods? SNEAKY, SILENT, DANGEROUS

Sodas, Sour Candy, Energy Drinks, Citrus are your teeth’s enemy. These are so acidic they erode your teeth making permanent stains that often can’t be seen until after the braces are removed

Teeth Damage

NOTICE DAMAGE TO THE TEETH FROM EATING ACIDIC SOUR CANDY, SODAS AND SPORTS DRINKS

Sour Candy is Extremely Acidic and Damaging to teeth

Nothing is worse than sour candy

Surprisingly Sports Drinks Are as Damaging as Sodas

Sport Drinks
Soda can damage teeth

Let’s Be Real.

It’s ok to have sweets and soft drinks occasionally. But now that you know how damaging they can be, please minimize eating sugary foods and drinks, especially why wearing braces to prevent damage to your precious teeth.

PATIENT COOPERATION

PLEASE UNDERSTAND: Patient cooperation is the single most important factor in achieving a proper result and completing treatment on time. Avoiding foods on the “NO” list and maintaining proper oral hygiene with braces takes responsibility and is hard work but necessary to ensure you finish your treatment with the most amazing smile and avoid tooth damage like this:

White Spots Gum Over Growth

All YOU have to do is this:

Pay attention to the “NO” list and minimize or avoid sugary or acidic foods and drinks
BRUSH 2 MINUTES TWICE A DAY AND FLOSS DAILY WITH THE TECHNIQUES WE DISCUSSED
SEE YOUR DENTIST EVERY 4-6 MONTHS WHILE WEARING BRACES
COME IN ROUTINELY FOR VISITS SO WE CAN HELP