Habits You Should Lose When Getting Braces

Braces give crooked teeth a makeover, leaving children and adults alike with straight, pearly smiles. However, this appliance might have a hard time working its magic if you do certain things that may make its components fall out or loosen. Dental professionals advise against eating certain foods, biting your nails, and drinking soda to get the most out of your braces in 33304 in no time.

Eating Sticky and Hard Foods

Certain foods are the first no-no once you get braces. Sticky foods can be hard to remove, accumulating around your brackets and exposing you to tooth decay. When you chew on hard or sticky foods, your teeth must also make a greater effort, which may make your wires and brackets fall or loosen.

Some foods you should stay away from are:

1. Caramel

2. Ice

3. Tough meats

4. Nuts

5. Popcorn

Biting Your Nails

Like some foods, nails are strong and resistant, and biting them risks your braces. This nervous habit is often unintentional, but try to avoid it as much as possible since it can detach your brackets from your teeth. Try not to replace nail biting with chewing on other objects, such as pens or pencils, because they are equally damaging.

If you want to stop biting your nails to protect your braces, try using bitter-tasting nail polishes and grabbing stress-releasing objects during triggering situations.

Drinking Soda

Drinking soda is another habit that can’t coexist with braces. The high amount of sugar in these beverages erodes the enamel in your teeth and creates the perfect environment for cavities to form, loosening your brackets.

Try to drink soda in moderation, and use a straw to prevent it from coming into contact with your teeth.

Looking to Get Braces in 33304?

If you avoid certain foods, sodas, and nail-biting, braces can do wonders for your smile. At 1500 Dental, our team of professionals provides expert care for your mouth. Contact us and book an appointment today!