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Top 10 Foods to Eat and Avoid with Braces

Did you know that people with straight teeth are perceived as being more successful and smarter?

While we aren’t supposed to judge a book by its cover, that doesn’t mean that we don’t. Having straight teeth is something that can lead us to feel more confident in our smiles and our looks. For that reason, it’s no wonder it is so common for people to have braces at some point in their lives.

While having braces has a long list of benefits, it does mean that you have to sacrifice some time, attention, and energy to the cause. Keeping your braces clean and in good shape is important to keep your treatment on track. As a part of that, there are certain foods you shouldn’t eat while you have braces on.

What foods should you eat and avoid while you have braces? Let’s take a look at the top ten foods in each category.

Why Are There Foods You Should Eat and Avoid With Braces?

When you have braces, your mouth has a permanent installation for a period of time. Braces are fragile and can therefore be damaged by certain foods. If your braces get damaged, your treatment time could be extended and lead to you wearing them for longer.

If you have to have your braces repaired, it can mean extra appointments and hassle. The best thing you can do is avoid eating foods that can damage your braces so that your teeth straightening can remain on track.

Beyond damaging your braces, certain foods can also get stuck in your braces and lead to tooth decay and discoloration. For the sake of both your oral health and your smile, you’ll want to be mindful of what you’re eating while you have braces.

If it is truly unthinkable to you to avoid these foods, consider looking into Invisalign or other clear aligner options.

With clear aligners, you always have to take your trays out to eat and drink. Otherwise, you can damage your trays or stain them.

Having Invisalign or clear aligners also means that you will have to dedicate some time to taking care of them every day. You will need to brush and floss your teeth after every meal before you put your clear aligners back in. If this is not possible, you will at least need to thoroughly rinse your trays with water.

Even though you can eat and drink whatever you want when you don’t have your aligners in, there are still some foods that is best to avoid. These include dark-colored liquids like coffee and wine that can stain your teeth and your attachments. It’s also best to avoid sugary foods and drinks that can promote bad breath and tooth decay.

On top of that, you should also avoid gum, sticky or chewy items, or hard food and candy.

Top Ten Foods to Eat With Braces

As long as you have braces, you will need to be mindful of the fact that they are sensitive to damage. There are plenty of foods that are totally fine to eat when you are wearing braces.

1. Soups

Soups are a great food to eat when you have braces. Full of soft, cooked vegetables and warm broth, you won’t risk damaging your braces with a nice bowl of soup.

2. Soft or Cooked Vegetables

Eating vegetables every day is an important part of a healthy diet. You will just want to make sure that they are cooked or soft before you eat them so you don’t bend or break the wires or brackets of your braces.

3. Yogurt

Yogurt is also another wonderful food you can eat with braces. Consider using it as a part of a delicious smoothie to get in some of your daily fruits and vegetables. Just be sure to avoid berries with seeds!

4. Oatmeal

Consider making oatmeal a part of your morning routine. Delicious, nutritious, and comforting, a nice bowl of oatmeal can be a great way to start the day with braces.

5. Scrambled Eggs

This is a great way to eat protein without causing any harm to your braces. There are also a lot of fun ways that you can spice up scrambled eggs to keep them interesting.

6. Soft Cheeses

While high cheeses should be avoided, there are plenty of delicious soft cheeses you can enjoy with braces. These include things like thinly sliced cheddar, cottage cheese, brie, or mozzarella.

7. Soft Fruits

Things like oranges, kiwi, melons, and grapes are fine for eating with braces. However, you will want to avoid harder fruits like apples and pears.

8. Seafood

Seafood is another great way to get protein in your diet without damaging your braces. You should be mindful, though, of bones or shellfish shells.

9. Pasta

Pasta is an easy food to eat with braces. Just be sure the other ingredients you’re adding aren’t too hard or chewy.

10. Grains

You can eat soft cooked rice and other cooked grains while you have braces. Choose these soft carbs over chewier or harder options like bread or dinner rolls.

Top Ten Foods to Avoid With Braces

While your diet doesn’t have to be bland when you have braces, you can’t eat everything you used to before you had them put on. You will want to know what foods to avoid so that you don’t cause damage to the wires, banks, or brackets.

1. Popcorn

For the duration of time you have metal braces, you’ll need to avoid eating popcorn. The husks can get wedged in between your teeth, and the kernels could potentially break the brackets or wires.

2. Nuts

Nuts can bend the wires of your braces, so you should steer clear of them. When the wires get bent on your braces, it can slow down the process of achieving straight teeth.

3. Chewing Gum

Chewing gum can warp the wires of your braces. On top of that, it can get stuck in all the metal in a way that causes damage and is just a mess. While you have metal braces, you’ll want to avoid chewing on gum.

4. Hard or Chewy Candy

Most candy is going to be off-limits while you’re wearing braces. Not only should you be avoiding too much sugar for your oral health anyway, but also they can damage your braces. Whether candy is sticky, chewy, or hard, you should lay off until your braces have been removed.

5. Hard Rolls or Bagels

These types of chewy breads can get caught in your braces and loosen the brackets and wires. If you simply must have a bite of a bagel, you can tear it into small pieces and chew it up with your back teeth. However, it really is best to avoid them altogether.

6. Pretzels, Chips, Taco Shells, and Hard Crackers

While you are wearing your braces, you should stay away from these foods. If you want an alternative to hard taco shells, you can eat soft tortillas instead.

7. Pizza Crust

Pizza crust is too chewy to be safely eaten with braces. Not only can chewing foods get caught in wires and brackets, but they can also loosen the components of your braces.

8. Ice

It’s fine to have ice in your drinks, but you don’t want to chew on ice while you’re wearing braces. Actually, one of the most common causes of damaged braces is chewing on ice.

9. Crunchy Vegetables and Fruits

You definitely don’t have to avoid eating fruits and vegetables altogether. However, crunchy fruits and vegetables like raw carrots, pears, and apples should be avoided.

10. Corn on the Cob

You can totally still eat corn, but you should cut it off the cob first. Eating corn right off the cob could cause damage to your wire braces.

Choosing Invisalign Gives You More Options When It’s Meal Time

Getting braces might not sound like the most fun process. However, it can result in you having straight teeth and allowing you to be more confident in your smile.

It can be frustrating to learn what you should eat and avoid with metal braces. There is an alternative when it comes to metal braces, however. You can opt to get clear aligners or Invisalign instead, which allows you to have a lot more options when it’s time to eat your meals.

When you have clear aligners, you should always take them out before eating or drinking. If you don’t, they can become stained, damage, or cracked. It’s also important to brush and floss your teeth before you put your aligning trays back in your mouth.

Are you interested in getting clear braces? If so, contact our office today to set up an appointment for a free exam by clicking on the link below!

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jessicacohenorthodontics · 5 years

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How to Brush and Floss Properly With Braces

Brushing and flossing with braces can be a challenge, but we are here for you.

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Remember to brush your teeth at least twice a day.

Always use a soft toothbrush. Start brushing on the upper right using small circular motions.

Make sure to Angle the toothbrush to brush above and below the braces.

Slowly work your brush toward the front teeth and over to the left side. Also, brush the insides of the teeth and biting surfaces. Next, use the same circular motion and angling techniques to brush the lower teeth. It may take longer than the typical two minutes to ensure all teeth and braces have been thoroughly cleaned. Take your time.

Flossing Daily for Great Oral Care

1. Pass floss threader under the arch wire 2. Pull up on the threader to get floss behind the arch wire. 3. Gently pull floss between teeth and clean size of teeth and under gums by cupping the floss around the tooth like a “C” and moving floss with an up and down motion.

If flossing becomes extremely difficult, you may want to look into a generic Waterpik to accompany traditional flossing.

Also try to use mouth rinses a few times a day as well to flush out plaque and bacteria.

4 Things You Can Do to Shorten Your Treatment Time.

1. Keep your appointments and being on time. 2. Try not to break your appliances. Broken appliances can stop or reverse treatment progress. 3. Make sure to wear your elastics and appliances as instructed 4. Keeping your teeth and braces clean. All efforts should be focused on designing your new smiles, clean teeth with healthy gums.

Remember Clean Teeth with Healthy Gums Move the fastest.

We hope these tips on How to Brush and Floss with Braces helps.

If you have further questions or are ready to schedule a Free Consultation with Dr. Cohen, make sure to click on the link below.

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jessicacohenorthodontics · 5 years

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Braces or Invisalign – Which Should You Choose?

Now that you have made a great decision to straighten your teeth, you need to choose the best method to approach this.

As many people know the two most popular methods are Braces and Invisalign.

In this article, we are going to address some of the pros and cons of each option to help you make your decision effortlessly.

Getting Started with Invisalign

At our office, Dr. Cohen will scan your teeth using an advanced 3D x-ray to make determine the viability of Invisalign and to make sure the aligners will fit properly and provide comfort throughout the length of your treatment.

Here are some of the pros and cons of Invisalign to guide you.

Here a 5 Advantages of Invisalign

1. Looks Better

These retainers are virtually invisible, so nobody knows whether or not you’re undergoing any orthodontic treatment. No need for people to comment on your teeth and affect your self-esteem. You don’t need to worry about your smile in photos, and your teeth will look straight with time.

2. Take Them Out When Eating

To achieve the best results, you need to wear Invisalign aligners for at most 22 hours every day. Therefore, you can take them out when eating. There is no change in your eating habits with these retainers.

3. Easier to Floss or Brush

When brushing your teeth, you can remove the aligners. Therefore, you can floss or brush your teeth effortlessly.

4. Fewer Consultations

Most of the work happens before the aligners are put into your mouth. Here, the orthodontist will perform a 3D scan of your teeth to create customized retainers. Follow the orthodontist’s directions when changing the retainers for the best results. The consultations are kept to a minimum just to check on overall progress.

5. Comfortable

Invisalign retainers are easy and comfortable to wear. Also, there are fewer gum and mouth problems when you choose these aligners. They are made from special plastic customized to your mouth, so you don’t need to handle salt washes to clean the cuts inside your cheeks.

3 Disadvantages of Invisalign

1. Practicing Proper Discipline

You need to follow the rules when putting the retainers in your mouth. Make sure you place them back in your mouth after eating to achieve the 22 hours for the best results. If you are not disciplined about using retainers, you will not achieve the desired results.

2. Removing Aligners Can Be Inconveniencing

Before eating or drinking anything besides water, you need to remove the aligners. If you are out in public, you need to remove the aligners discreetly to avoid losing them. Before replacing the aligners, you need to brush your teeth. Remember, food particles in your teeth can stop the teeth from moving and will stain your aligners. You also have an increased risk of bad breath and cavities.

3. Overall Cost

Compared to regular braces, Invisalign aligners can be more expensive. Therefore, you need to have enough money to foot the bill before you can visit the orthodontist. You can also confirm whether or not your insurance coverage can pay for part of your treatment. At Jessica Cohen Orthodontics, we make sure you have options that you can afford.

Here you can learn more about Invisalign with Dr. Cohen in Highland Park.

Why Braces?

Traditional Braces are the most tested method used to straighten teeth and position them according to your bite.

They are also used to improve overall dental health and fix larger gaps.

Here are some of the pros and cons of braces.

4 Advantages of Braces

1. Suitable for All Cases

It doesn’t matter how bad your teeth appear because braces can be used for all cases. If you have many dental and facial issues that need to be corrected, you can use braces to fix each of these issues. They use an archwire that pulls the teeth into place. Braces are considered to be the most powerful treatment options for moving teeth into the desired position.

2. Achieve Perfect Results

Compared to Invisalign, braces can achieve a much better result. Note that, with Invisalign, there is a little limitation on how much teeth can actually be moved at a time.

3. Different Types

With advancements in technology, there are different types of braces to choose from. You don’t have to stick to the traditional brackets and wires. You can choose from ceramic and lingual braces that are less noticeable. Therefore, you can actually enjoy wearing braces without worrying about the metal wires.

4. Faster Treatment

Yes, you must be wondering what’s faster between braces and Invisalign. Generally, when aligning teeth and closing gaps, treatment time is faster with braces than when using Invisalign.

If you want to get orthodontic treatment fast enough, you should opt for braces. Of course, a good orthodontist with enough experience and skill will lead to faster treatment times.

4 Disadvantages of Braces

1. The Aesthetics

Most people don’t love how traditional braces look. They are likely going to feel self-conscious about their appearance in some social places.

2. Brushing Your Teeth

With braces, brushing your teeth is a little more difficult. If you don’t clean your teeth properly, there is going to be plaque buildup.

Eventually, you will have a lot of decay and staining. Make sure you follow the instructions given by your orthodontist to learn how to floss and brush correctly with your braces.

3. Dieting and Preparing Food

You need to be careful about the type of food or drinks you take when having braces. If you take hard or sticky foods, the archwire is likely going to break.

Also, a bracket may dislodge from the tooth. Your braces will not work until these areas are repaired. You are likely going to prolong the treatment time if there are multiple breakages.

4. Regular Consultations

When you have braces, you need to make regular visits to the orthodontist to check on the progress and make the necessary adjustment.

Your orthodontist needs to check how far your teeth have moved at least once a month and make the necessary adjustments to make sure your teeth are moving in the right direction.

Click here to learn more about options with Braces at our Highland Park office.

Now It’s Up To You

When you choose to realign or adjust your teeth, you need to determine the right method between braces and Invisalign.

Therefore, look through all the pros and cons and decide on the best option for you depending on the aesthetics, treatment time, and also the office visits involved.

Of course, you may need to consult with an orthodontist first before you settle on an ideal option.

Schedule a Free Exam with Dr. Cohen in Highland Park today by clicking on the button below.

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10 Reasons Why Adults Should Consider Getting Braces

Everyone wants that 1000 watt, million-dollar, Hollywood smile. Unfortunately, it doesn’t come naturally to all of us.

As an adult in particular, having dental issues like misalignment can have huge negative implications, not only on your health but also your social life. Therefore, you cannot afford to ignore the problem.

Of course, the thought of getting your teeth realigned as a grownup is not very inviting. I mean, who wants to be in their thirties or forties with a teen brace-face smile, right?

However, the decision to get your teeth straightened is one that could change your life, so don’t dismiss it just yet. To put things in perspective, here are 10 of the benefits of adult braces in Highland Park, IL.

#1 Look good; feel good

How you look has a direct impact on how you feel about yourself. If you have dental issues, more often than not your self-esteem will take a huge blow. And no, self-esteem issues don’t just affect teens and kids.

As an adult, getting your teeth fixed will allow you to be comfortable in your own skin finally. Feeling great about yourself means that you will not hold back, and you will finally be able to achieve your full potential in life whatever you choose to pursue.

#2 Get rid of all oral discomfort

Adult braces in Highland Park are popular as they help with reducing discomfort. If you have misaligned teeth, then you know that they can be a real pain. And we’re not talking about the aesthetics. Some cases can be so severe that the misalignment causes headaches, jaw pain, and even difficulty swallowing.

Getting this simple issue corrected means you will forever be free of this debilitating discomfort.

#3 Significantly lower risk for dental decay

Teeth that are straight and properly spaced are very easy to clean. The tooth brush and floss get to do their job unhindered. This protects you from all manner of dental issues, from cavities to gingivitis. So consider getting braces for this reason in order to avoid things getting worse. Otherwise you will continue giving the bacteria a place to hide, which will spell trouble for you later on.

#4 To correct age-related jaw bone changes

As you grow older, your bone structure will undergo several changes. This includes the jaws which hold your teeth. The result is usually an exaggeration of existing conditions like crowded front teeth, buck teeth, and general misalignment. With adult braces, in addition to getting straight teeth, you get to correct the jaw issues. That way, your new perfect teeth have a stable home to sit in for an awesome final result.

#5 A healthy mouth translates to a healthier body

Most people don’t know this, but having disorganized teeth can have direct effects on your general health. One system commonly affected is the respiratory system. Research has proven that there is a direct correlation between misaligned teeth and sleep apnea. The digestive system is also affected with issues such as difficulty swallowing, as well as bloating and indigestion. By fixing your teeth, you get to free yourself from all these complications. The result is a healthier you with a beautiful smile to show off. It’s a winning combination.

#6 You will have them out in no time

One of the main reasons adults are so opposed to braces is the fact that no one wants to spend years with metal wires in their mouth. The good news is that as an adult, and with advances in dental health care, this isn’t something that you have to worry about. You could have braces put in and taken out within a few months, depending on the degree of your misalignment. You could also go for options that offer more flexible application so you can take them off whenever you feel like it.

#7 Braces aren’t what they used to be

What comes to your mind when you think about braces? Let me guess… you see an adolescent with a mouth full of wires, springs, and elastic bands. You see pain, discomfort, restrictions and an awkward smile. But guess what? Times have changed. These days, you have a lot of options in terms of the braces you can get. By far the best options for adults are the clear aligners. These are basically colorless correction aids that allow you to enjoy the benefits of alignment treatment without any of the embarrassment.

#8 It is an affordable long term option

Braces are no longer an expensive luxury that will dent your bank account. In fact, practices like ours offer adult braces in Highland Park, IL at affordable prices that make it all worth it. We also accept payment from most insurance companies so you might not even have to pay for it. And the best part is that it is a lifetime investment. The results are permanent and you will have a beautiful smile as a daily reminder of your wise investment in yourself.

#9 It will improve your social and professional life

In life, appearance matters a lot. On one end, it affects your confidence and subsequent approach to life and different opportunities. On the other hand, it affects the perception that other people have of you. With a great smile as a result of brace therapy, your social and professional lives will be changed dramatically. You will notice it in how confident you feel and how people respond to your new found confidence.

#10 Any future dental treatments will be easier to perform

Procedures like teeth cleaning, whitening, and even placement of prosthetics require straight teeth to run smoothly and with maximum effectiveness. Getting adult braces in Highland Park, IL means that you will be getting the full value for your money with all subsequent visits to the dentist whatever the service is. It also makes the procedures a lot more comfortable for you.

The bottom line

If you are looking for the best services in adult braces in Highland Park, IL then you have come to the right place. We offer a wide variety of options for you to choose from so that you can have the smile of your dreams.

With all these benefits, it goes without saying that braces are really not all that bad.

So book your appointment by clicking on the button below and let us get you started on that long overdue journey to the perfect smile.

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