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While braces are an effective way to achieve the smile you’ve always wanted, they come with sacrifices regarding your diet. Houston braces correct crooked or misaligned teeth as well as bite issues, but only if you’re disciplined in caring for them. One important aspect of orthodontic maintenance is being mindful of the things you eat. Whether you’re wearing metal or Houston ceramic braces, you could damage them if you aren’t careful about the following types of food.

Food That Gets Stuck

Since braces are composed of tiny brackets and wires, food gets easily stuck in practically any corner. Avoid nuts, seeds, and popcorn, as they can settle in areas that are hard to reach with a toothbrush. Food that gets stuck in your Houston braces means creating a breeding ground for bacteria. These bacteria are what cause cavities, tartar, and other tooth caries.

Food That Is Sticky

Examples of sticky food that your Houston dentist will tell you to avoid are chewing gum, candy, taffy, and licorice. If you have a sweet tooth for these treats, it’s time you consume them in moderation. Especially for children, it’s important to remind them to brush their teeth immediately after eating these sticky delights. As a parent, you can offer them only after mealtime instead of serving them as a snack.

Food That Is Too Crunchy

Even though your Houston family dentist made sure to cement your brackets in place, they can still get damaged from food that is too hard. Crunchy stuff like chips, tacos shells, pretzels, tough vegetables, and even ice should be avoided. They can cause the wires and brackets to loosen and break. Although your Houston braces can be repaired, it’s still an inconvenience having to visit the dentist for emergency purposes.

Honorable Mentions

Another food type to avoid are those that you have to bite into, such as corn on the cob, whole apples, and hard bread. You can easily lose a bracket or two for these foods. Instead, slice them into bite-size pieces to save yourself an unexpected trip to the dental office.

Food You Can Enjoy

Having Houston braces doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy delicious food that you love. There is still a wide assortment of food that is good for your dental treatment. Mashed potatoes, pasta, yogurt, soft fruit, cheese, and peanut butter are just a few examples. Being informed on what can damage your braces will get you to your desired smile faster.

Schedule an Appointment for Houston Braces

Are you considering getting Houston braces to boost your confidence and improve your oral health? Visit Centra Dental where we embrace your smiles. Our top-rated Houston dentist provides all vital dental services, such as cleaning, filings, root canals, and more. We have surgically clean air circulating for your protection. We prioritize cleanliness and the safety of our patients and staff. Why visit Centra Dental? We strive to make your dental experience as pleasant and stress-free as possible. Ask us about dental insurance we accept as well as dental service specials!

If you’re wearing dental braces, then you’re on your way to achieving a more confident, beautiful smile. South Houston dental braces are an effective treatment for misaligned teeth and bite problems. To keep you on the right track, make sure you’re taking care of your braces by practicing good oral hygiene. Patients with braces, especially children, need to pay extra attention to hygiene to prevent cavities and gum disease. Read on for tips on how to care for your braces.

Brush Your Teeth Regularly

If you wear South Houston braces, you’re at risk for cavities since food gets easily stuck in the metal wires and brackets. This is why the importance of brushing at least twice a day can’t be stressed enough. You can use a special orthodontic brush to get into every corner of your metal dental braces. Make sure to brush each bracket in a circular motion then go across until you get to every tooth. Rinse well with water or mouth wash.

Floss Every Day

Having South Houston dental braces means there are areas that can’t be reached with regular brushing alone. Make sure to floss once a day to get rid of all food particles. Pay extra attention to stubborn areas to prevent the growth of bacteria.

Avoid Certain Food

The downside of metal braces is that there are some food you should avoid. Certain food can damage your brackets, leading you to an unexpected visit to your South Houston family dentist. For your convenience, be extra careful when consuming the following:

• Hard foods like candy, apples, and nuts
• Sticky foods like caramel, chewing gum, and licorice
• Sugar foods that can cause cavities
• Crunchy foods like popcorn and chips

Visit Your Dentist Monthly

When undergoing treatment with South Houston dental braces, you will need to visit the dentist’s chair around once a month. Your South Houston dentist will need to keep adjusting your braces to make sure of your progress. They can also recommend you for general cleaning once every 6 months. If you have any questions about caring for your braces, don’t hesitate to ask them. They’ll be more than happy to keep your oral health in the best state possible.

Schedule an Appointment for South Houston Dental Braces

Are you thinking of getting South Houston dental braces for the first time? Or perhaps you need a follow up appointment? Centra Dental is looking forward to serving you. At our dental clinic, we embrace your smiles. Our top-rated Houston dentist performs all vital services, such as cleaning, root canals, implants, and more. We have surgically clean air circulating our facility because your well-being is our priority. We strive to make your dental experience as pleasant and stress-free as possible the moment you enter through our doors. Feel free to ask us about our dental service specials! We also accept dental insurance.

Getting your braces removed after months or even years of sacrifice is an exciting feeling. Finally, your new and improved smile is ready to make its debut. But your orthodontic journey isn’t over just because your South Houston braces are off; aftercare is another important stage. If you want your beautiful set of teeth to maintain its glory, you must stay disciplined and follow your South Houston dentist’s tips. Here are a few things you can do after removal of braces.

Right After Removal

Immediately after your brackets and wires have been removed, your dentist will perform a thorough cleaning to make sure no cement is left. This also ensures that no tartar or cavity develops. During the first few hours after your visit, it’s common to have slightly swollen gums and sensitive teeth. Take it easy on the first few days with the food you eat. Don’t consume hard and sticky food right away, no matter how eager you are. You might also notice discoloration on the spots where your brackets used to be—this is normal. They may fade over time, but if the discoloration still bothers you after 6 months, you can ask your South Houston family dentist about teeth whitening.

Caring for Your Retainers

Once your South Houston braces are removed, your teeth are still prone to movement and repositioning. To prevent a relapse, you’ll need to wear dental retainers. They can either be fixed or removable retainers, depending on your dentist’s recommendation. Some patients may need to wear retainers for less than a year, while some may need to wear it for several years. Being diligent about your retainers ensures that you maintain the corrections done on your teeth. Also remember to clean your retainers daily using soap and water or whatever your dentist instructs.

Establishing Healthy Habits

There’s no doubt that you should maintain good oral hygiene with or without South Houston braces. Remember to brush twice a day and floss at least once a day. Continue visiting your dentist twice a year for a general cleaning. You should also visit your orthodontist regularly to check on your retainers. Also be mindful of pain in your wisdom teeth because they can alter the position of the rest of your teeth.

Schedule a Consultation for South Houston Braces Today!

Need more information on caring for your teeth after getting your South Houston braces removed? At Centra Dental, we embrace your smiles! Feel free to consult with our top-rated dentist. We offer all vital services, such as implants, root canals, fillings, South Houston Invisalign, and more. Our clean and safe facility has surgical-grade air circulating all throughout. Why visit Centra Dental? We strive to make your dental experience as pleasant and stress-free as possible. Ask us about our dental service specials and accepted insurance!

Choosing the right dental treatment for you can be a challenge because all types of braces have their benefits. You can achieve a straighter, more confident smile whichever way you go. However, not all Houston braces are perfect for your lifestyle and dental condition. Both Invisalign and traditional braces have their cons, but both can be effective. To find out which one suits you better, continue reading below.

Traditional Braces

Also known as metal braces, this type involves brackets that are cemented to your teeth and connected with a wire. Most kids and teens get this kind of Houston braces, particularly when their bones are just starting to set in. 

Pros of Traditional Braces

Houston metal braces are suitable even for the most serious overcrowding and crooked teeth. They treat other dental issues, such as overbites, underbites, and overspacing, which are too severe for Invisalign. Traditional braces are considered to be the more powerful method when repositioning teeth. They also get the desired results in a shorter amount of time compared to other braces.

Cons of Traditional Braces

Some people aren’t too keen about the appearance of metal braces since they look too obvious. They may also get uncomfortable if the wires scrape against the inside of your cheek. This can be addressed using dental wax. If you’re getting metal braces, you’d have to get them adjusted every month, which may be painful for up to 4 days after each visit. You will also need to be careful of what you eat, as some food may damage metal braces.

Invisalign

Made from flexible plastic, Invisalign is popular among adults with mild to moderate dental issues. They are clear aligners custom made for you and replaced when it’s time to move up your progress. 

Pros of Invisalign

The biggest advantage of Invisalign is its appearance. They are far less obvious than metal braces, so they are perfect for adults who don’t want a drastic change to their look. You can also remove Invisalign when you’re eating or taking pictures as long as you wear them for 20 to 22 hours a day. They are much more comfortable to wear and won’t cause abrasions to your mouth.

Cons of Invisalign

This type of Houston braces is not meant for challenging cases that can only be solved by metal braces. They are also more expensive and require strict discipline. It’s important to visit your Houston family dentist as instructed to keep you on the right track.

Schedule a Treatment for Houston Braces Today!

Looking to get either metal Houston braces or Invisalign? Visit Centra Dental, where we embrace your smiles! Our top-rated Houston dentist provides all vital and cosmetic services to improve your confidence and oral health. We have surgically clean air circulating through our entire facility because your safety is our priority. We strive to make your visit as stress-free and pleasant as possible. Ask us about our dental service specials and insurance!