Protecting Your Braces Salem, OR
Braces Protection provided by Dr. Amborn
in Salem, OR at Amborn Orthodontics
Protecting your braces will help you have the best results in your orthodontic treatment. There are steps that you can take to help. Awareness about the foods that you eat and when engaging in sports can make a significant difference in the care of your braces. Our team at Amborn Orthodontics has tips and guidelines that can help. Working with Dr. Amborn, we can improve your bite.
Braces and the Food You EatA frustrating part of wearing braces is the need to be aware of the foods that you should avoid eating. Some foods can be harmful to your braces; they can even cause wires to break and brackets to come off. Food can become trapped or dislodge brackets and wires resulting in unplanned office visits and discomfort. You want to avoid these problems as they can delay your treatment and even extend the time you will need to wear your braces. You can avoid problems by taking into consideration the foods that can most frequently cause these problems. While wearing braces, we recommend avoiding:
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Foods that require you to bite into them: This may include a whole apple, dill pickles, corn on the cob, ribs or chicken wings. All of these foods can be cut into smaller bites and consumed, but the action of biting into these larger items can be damaging to your braces. |
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Foods that are Crunchy: Crunchy foods such as raw vegetables, chips, croutons, and more can dislodge brackets and break your wires. |
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Foods that are Sticky: Sticky foods are noted for their high sugar content which can cause decay if left in place around your braces, but they can also cause wires to come loose. Patients with braces should avoid sticky foods such as caramel, gum and a large variety of chewy, sticky candies. |
Protecting your Braces While Playing SportsMany of our patients engage in sports, whether on a team or in casual outdoor play. You want to protect your braces from breakage, while also protecting the soft tissues of your mouth from being hurt by your braces while playing. Your kids are busy; they play soccer, basketball, football, baseball, they ride their bikes, skateboards, and so much more. With all of these activities, injuries can happen. The best way to protect your braces from damage is by wearing a mouthguard.
Mouthguards are a simple removable acrylic device that you wear over your teeth. This simple device will help protect your braces from being damaged, and may also help protect your gum tissue from being hurt by your braces following an impact. There are both store bought options and options that we can customize for you in our office. Store bought options are cheaper, but a customized option will be more comfortable, meaning your child may be more likely to wear it.
Protecting your braces can save you time, money, and help you avoid a painful or emergency situation. Dr. Amborn can help. Our office has seen a wide variety of issues, and we can make recommendations to help you avoid them. |