Dentist’s advice on how to eat right after braces

Dentist’s advice on how to eat right after braces

The expert answered the question of those who are currently straightening their teeth and correcting bite.

Orthodontic treatment is a rather complicated and very lengthy process. In the classic variation with the installation of braces, it involves a number of restrictions that are imposed on the patient. This is the case when beauty requires sacrifice.

For those who are not ready to limit themselves, it makes sense to consider using transparent polymer trays as an alternative to classic braces. They are practically invisible on the teeth, do not require special care, do not impose restrictions on a person’s usual routine, including in relation to his eating habits. At the same time, the desired result with the help of such aligners can be achieved much faster. If your choice fell on braces, you should be prepared for the fact that your diet will have to be adjusted. The dentist and head physician of the clinic Vladimir Shipkov told Wday readers in detail about this.

Dentist, chief physician of Dr. Shipkov’s clinic

Nutrition in the first days after the installation of the bracket system

Immediately after the installation of braces, some patients may experience unusual and even painful sensations. They are caused by the pressure exerted by the plates on the teeth. Against this background, solid foods, the chewing of which requires effort, should be excluded. They can increase discomfort, so it is advisable to replace them with soft food. Ideal for:

  • semi-liquid porridge;

  • mashed soups;

  • soft cottage cheese and dairy products;

  • meat and vegetable purees;

  • jelly, puddings.

Such a menu will make getting used to the structure in the mouth less time consuming and more comfortable. 

Daily diet after completion of the adaptation process

The main requirements relate to mechanical processing of food and temperature conditions. This means that the usual products that a person consumed in their entirety before installing the braces will need to be crushed after the installation of the structure. It is equally important that they are served neither too cold nor too hot. The temperature difference will be especially harmful in such a situation.

Doctors recommend making a menu of the following dishes:

  • cutlets and meatballs from any minced meat that has been rolled several times;

  • mashed soups with the addition of cereals and meat;

  • well boiled porridge;

  • boiled and baked fish;

  • meat, vegetable, fruit purees;

  • stewed and baked vegetables, stews;

  • fermented milk products;

  • fresh soft fruits and vegetables;

  • fruit and vegetable smoothies;

  • fresh bread, pastries (must be well baked).

It is important that the food is sufficiently chopped and served warm.

What is not recommended to eat after installing braces

There are a number of products, the use of which with plates on the teeth can damage the structure or impair its aesthetic properties. Here are the main groups to exclude from your diet:

  • Solid food. These are nuts, seeds, kozinaki, hard vegetables and fruits, snacks, semi-finished products. Biting and chewing these products often leads to displacement or damage to the arc of the apparatus, which, without timely medical intervention, will negate the entire therapeutic effect. Peeling off locks is another common consequence of eating this kind of food.

  • Foods and drinks with dyes. We are talking about coffee, strong black tea, berry juices and fruit drinks, red wine, beets. Abstaining from them is especially important for those who wear aesthetic orthodontic systems. Eating foods with dyes will make them invisible. But even ordinary braces after such exposure will lose their shine and visual appeal.

  • Sticky food. These are soft cheeses, some dried fruits, sweets (especially halva, nougat, toffee, caramel). Getting into hard-to-reach places, such products remain there for a long time. This can provoke the appearance of caries or cause the development of inflammatory processes against the background of the activation of bacteria in the mouth.

If abstinence from the listed products is higher than the patient’s strength, after eating it is necessary to brush your teeth and structural elements, rinse your mouth. This should be done especially carefully in hard-to-reach places. 

The list of prohibited foods is extensive. For many, such restrictions seem impracticable, but almost everyone gets used to it over time. And it’s important to remember to visit your dentist regularly for professional hygiene. Such measures will be an excellent prevention of oral diseases and prevent the appearance of age spots on the enamel. 

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