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Keeping Your Smile Sparkling: Caring for Braces and Invisalign

Maintaining excellent oral hygiene is essential for a successful orthodontic journey, whether you have braces or Invisalign. Brushing and flossing after every meal and snack (anything other than water) helps prevent cavities, gum problems, and bad breath. With braces, pay close attention to cleaning around brackets and wires.

Regular dental checkups and cleanings with your general dentist are also important, even while wearing braces or aligners. Continue with your usual six-month schedule, or more frequently if recommended by your dentist or orthodontist.

Navigating Your Diet with Braces

If you have braces, you might be wondering what you can and can't eat. While some foods are best avoided, you can still enjoy a wide variety of delicious and nutritious options!

Choosing braces-friendly foods makes your treatment more comfortable and helps prevent damage to your appliance. Here's a quick guide:

Foods to Enjoy with Braces:

  • Soft breads, tortillas, and tacos
  • Dairy products like yogurt, smoothies, and soft cheeses
  • Grains such as rice and pasta
  • Soft meats like chicken, lunch meat, and slow-cooked roasts (ensure they're boneless)
  • Soft or cooked vegetables like baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, greens, and beans
  • Soft fruits like bananas, pineapple, berries, and stone fruits (avoid biting into pits)
  • Sweet treats like ice cream, Jell-O, milkshakes, and chocolate (remember to brush afterward!)

Foods to Avoid with Braces:

  • Hard or chewy vegetables like raw carrots, corn on the cob, and whole pickles
  • Sticky or chewy candy like taffy, Starbursts, licorice, gum, brittle, and caramel
  • Popcorn (kernels can easily get stuck)
  • Beef jerky (tough to chew and can damage braces)
  • Hard fruits like apples and pears (cut them into small pieces to enjoy)

Tips for Clear Aligner Wearers:

If you wear clear aligners, limit coffee consumption to prevent staining and avoid chewing gum while wearing your trays. It's also crucial to wear your aligners for at least 22 hours per day to ensure effective treatment.