Eating with Braces

Frederick Orthodontist

Orthodontist in Frederick What you eat and do not eat will directly affect the condition of your teeth during orthodontic treatment. Here are some tips on what kinds of foods you should avoid and how to carefully enjoy some of your favorites.

Hard Foods

At times, it is difficult to break and chew certain foods. Eating hard foods can be harmful during orthodontic treatment because they can bend or break wires and even displace brackets. Avoid them entirely after you have had your wires changed, since teeth are the most tender at this stage.

Tips for eating hard foods:

Fruits are an essential part of a balanced diet. If you want to eat apples, pears and peaches, do not directly bite into them. Instead, cut them into small pieces before consuming.
If you enjoy eating almonds, cashews or peanuts, consider grinding them and adding it to cereals and yogurt.
While eating chicken wings or ribs, remove the bones before consuming your meal. This prevents you from accidentally chewing on a bone and dislocating a bracket.
While eating corn, remove the kernels from the cob to help prevent damage to your braces.
Avoid chewing on ice. You can suck on ice cubes but never bite them.

Sticky and Sweet Foods

Sticky foods can get stuck to your teeth and braces, and can even result in the braces getting pulled off. Sweet, sugary foods are high in sugar and their consumption can lead to tooth decay.

Tips for eating sticky and sweet foods:

If you enjoy eating candy, try sucking on them instead of chewing them. Be sure to rinse your mouth with water to avoid sugar buildup on your teeth.
Avoid chewing on gum. Gum can stick to braces and may be difficult to clean. It can also loosen the wires and brackets.

As always, it is best to eat a nutritious diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. Avoiding soda, candy, and other sugary and acidic foods can help prevent tooth decay and keep you healthier overall. Contact our office for more helpful information or to schedule an appointment.

First Aid for Your Braces

Dentist in Frederick

Dentist in Frederick Though braces are safe and generally involve little discomfort, there are instances when issues may arise. Here is some information that can be useful if any of these situations occur.

Food Caught Between Teeth

While not an emergency, this can cause discomfort or embarrassment for the patient. A small knot in a piece of dental floss can help to remove food stuck between teeth and braces. Other options that may be effective include a small dental toothbrush or toothpick.

Lost Ligatures

Ligatures include both the small rubber bands and the fine wires that are used with braces. If a rubber band comes off, it should be able to be put back in place using sterile tweezers. For a loose wire, use sterile tweezers to remove it. If a wire ligature is broken or missing, follow up with the orthodontist.

Discomfort

Discomfort for the first day or two following adjustment is normal. It can be helpful during that time to eat only soft foods and to rinse with warm salt water.

Mouth Sores

Some patients may have recurring issues with mouth sores. Though these are not caused by the braces, the braces may irritate the sores, making them more painful and take longer to heal. Generally, pain relief can be achieved using a topical anesthetic, such as Ora-Gel.

Lip or Cheek Irritation

New braces may cause irritation to the lips and cheeks, especially while eating. Non-medicinal relief wax can be used in small amounts to cover the part of the braces that is causing the irritation, providing relief. This wax is harmless if accidentally swallowed.

Protruding Wire

If a wire end is out of place, it can cause irritation to the mouth. Use a pencil eraser or cotton swab to gently push the wire back into place, if possible. Relief wax can also be used to protect the mouth. If the protrusion is severe and the patient cannot get to the orthodontist soon, clip the wire as a last resort.

Loose Brackets

If a bracket has become loose, notify the orthodontist immediately for how to proceed.

A Piece of the Appliance is Swallowed

Though highly rare, it is possible for this to occur. Contact the orthodontist immediately for instructions on how to handle this situation.

For more information on these or other braces issues, or to schedule a consultation, contact our office today.

Help Us Stop Cancer Before it Starts!

Dentist in Frederick MD

Dentist in Frederick MD Did you know that regular screening can allow Dr. Wear to identify and treat oral cancers even before you develop any symptoms? In an oral cancer screening, Dr. Wear will use her expert training and technology to check your mouth for any abnormal or potentially pre-cancerous cells, as well as any actual cancerous growths. Once identified, Dr. Wear may recommend a biopsy to be certain whether cancer is present.

Oral cancer, also known as mouth cancer, can occur in any part of the mouth, such as in the lips or gums, the surface of the tongue, or the roof and floor of the mouth. A person suffering from oral cancer may experience mouth ulcers, swelling, lumping or thickening of the skin in any part of the mouth, or patches on the lining of the mouth or tongue. Pain in swallowing, jaw pain or stiffness, sore throat and loosening of teeth are also symptoms of oral cancer.

Oral cancer is typically caused by unhealthy habits such as smoking, chewing, or sniffing tobacco, consuming alcohol, unhealthy diet, or excessive exposure to sun and certain chemicals. People with GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease) digestive condition and those who have undergone radiation treatments of the head or neck areas are also at a high risk for developing oral cancer.

Oral cancer can be diagnosed by various examinations such as biopsy, endoscopy, or imaging tests. If found, receiving proper treatment is imperative. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 9,570 people will die of oral cancers this year alone. That’s about one person every hour!Let us help you prevent oral cancer by scheduling an oral cancer screening.

As with any form of cancer, early detection and treatment plays an essential role in ensuring that oral cancer can be stopped before it fully takes hold. For more information or to schedule an oral cancer screening, please call Premiere Dental Arts today.