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Eating With Braces: Do’s and Don’ts

Braces in Atlanta and Marietta, GABraces can sometimes feel restricting. Who wouldn’t feel a little held back with metal in their mouth? However, that beautiful smile you know you will get to show everyone makes it all worth it. In order to get to that smile the fastest and easiest way possible, it’s necessary to take care when it comes to what foods you eat or don’t eat. This may sound like just another thing to keep track of in your or your child’s life, but in the end it can save you from doing damage to your braces, which would have kept you from that smile even longer.

What can’t you eat?

When it comes to what to eat with braces, it’s much easier to figure out what to avoid. The list is not that long! The main thing to keep in mind is that if you find yourself wondering if a food is okay to eat with braces, you probably should not eat it. Better safe than sorry definitely applies here. To give yourself a general idea of what not to eat, follow these guidelines:

No sticky or chewy food: as tempting as they are, a lot of candies are off limits. Stay away from things with caramel and gummy textures. Gum is a BIG no!

No hard food: hard candies and nuts, for example, can do a lot of damage to thin wires.

No biting into tough food: apples, carrots, and corn on the cob will tear up your braces. We don’t want any dislodged metal in that mouth! You may still have these foods by substituting them with applesauce, steamed carrots, and corn that has been cut off the cob.

No crunchy food: popcorn is your worst nightmare when it comes to braces. Avoid it and other crunchy food like chips or ice.

How to take care of your braces post-meal

It’s always important to make sure your teeth stay clean after you eat, but with braces it is particularly important and a little more difficult. Make sure that you brush and floss your teeth after you eat to keep scraps out of the nooks and crannies of your braces. Flossing may seem difficult with all those wires, but it will get easier with time. Without proper cleaning, your teeth can end up damaged if food sits on them, unmoved.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Dr. Marc S. Wright at (404) 507-2078 with locations in Atlanta and Marietta, GA.

 

What is the best age to have an orthodontic evaluation?

Orthodontics in Atlanta and Marietta, GAOne of the most commonly asked questions is when its best to start looking into braces. While there’s no straight forward answer, there are some general guidelines to follow when considering braces. In order to truly do what’s best, you need to talk with a licensed professional.

The most important aspect of deciding whether it’s the right time for braces is whether all of your permanent teeth (except wisdom teeth) have replaced the baby ones. Usually this is 11 to 12 for girls and 12 to 13 for boys. However, these ages are just averages and not a set standard. Many orthodontists use two phases of braces. The goal of two-phase treatment is to expand the jaw and start straightening the teeth at a younger age.

The best way to know for certain when to get braces is to have an exam with your orthodontist. At this visit you can discuss whether your dental needs will require braces. To learn more about braces and other orthodontic options, please contact Dr. Marc S. Wright, located in Atlanta and Marietta, GA at 404-507-2078. The initial consultation is free and staff will work with you to find a treatment plan that both meets your needs and your budget.

Braces for All Ages

Popular culture loves to tell that braces are exclusively for teenagers during the most awkward years of adolescence. The reality is that a straight, bright smile is desirable for patients of all ages. Since the 1990s, the growth of adult patients seeking braces to correct crooked, crowded and otherwise imperfect smiles has rapidly grown. This is not to say children and young adults are not also still getting braces, rather the pool of options available has made getting a straight smile easier and more affordable. That, and the power of a million-dollar smile, has become increasingly important.

Whether you are looking for braces for your child or yourself, there are some key differences in orthodontic care for adults and children. Adults often have pre-existing conditions that children do not, as a result of their long-term dental care routines and genetics. Things such as insufficient bone, bone loss, and gingivitis infections can make treatment longer or a more involved process. Adult teeth and bone are also harder and more resistant to moving so there are biomechanical limitations for adult patients. Additionally, space in the mouth can be a problem for adults, whether it’s too much from extractions or too little requiring extractions. Growing bone in children and young adults is much more responsive to creating and minimizing space. Even with the potential challenges of adult braces and orthodontic treatment, there are still many things that anyone of any age must know before proceeding.

Regardless of your age, braces or orthodontic work is a commitment with lots of care and even lifestyle changes to ensure results. For braces, you will need to dedicate time for checkups. Orthodontists will want to check on your progress and make adjustments as often as every four weeks. Finding the time for yourself, or child, amid work and other activities can be difficult. Additionally, with braces, certain foods are off limits that can be difficult to manage in younger patients and adults alike. Things such as popcorn and sticky candies can break brackets and cause damage. Another tricky change is to dental hygiene. Braces wearers teeth cleaning routines become longer and more frequent. Brushing and flossing after every meal or snack are recommended by many dentists and orthodontists for those with braces. The metal, wires, and brackets can make both of these regular routines much more difficult and time-consuming. Whether you opt for traditional braces, invisible aligners, ceramic braces, or braces on the interior of your teeth, the care and keeping routines are more extensive than not having braces.

Choosing the right type of braces generally requires a consult with an orthodontist. If you or your child are ready for a straight smile, Dr. Marc S. Wright is here for you.

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Atlanta

3019-B North Druid Hills Rd NE Atlanta, GA 30329

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990-B Whitlock Avenue NW Marietta, GA 30064

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Atlanta
  • Monday: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
  • Thursday: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
  • Friday: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
MARIETTA
  • Monday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
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  • Friday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
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