Lingual braces are placed on the inside of your teeth, contrary to regular braces. The brackets and wires from lingual braces touch your tongue, which makes it vital for patients to consider their food intake. Eating certain types of food can make it challenging for you to maintain oral hygiene while you wear your braces. In this article, we’ll take a look at what foods patients should avoid while wearing lingual braces.
Sugary Foods
Sugar is detrimental to oral health, and it’s even more dangerous when you wear braces. Bacteria in your mouth act on sugar and create acid, which could consequently result in tooth decay. Sugary foods come in different forms, including candy, soda, and pastries. Avoiding these types of foods will protect your teeth and braces from cavities.
Hard Foods
Hard foods can damage your braces by breaking brackets and wires. Some hard foods to avoid include ice, nuts, and hard candy. If you do eat hard foods, you may risk discomfort, and your orthodontist will need to repair/replace your braces. Chewy, sticky foods like gum should also be avoided as they can get stuck between brackets and wires, making it tedious to clean.
Acidic Foods and Beverages
Acidic foods and drinks such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, and vinegar-based sauces weaken tooth enamel and lead to tooth decay. Moreover, it would be best to avoid carbonated beverages, which are acidic and may result in acid reflux and other digestive problems. Instead, opt for sugarless and non-acidic drinks such as water and milk.
Salty Foods
Salty foods like chips can get lodged underneath braces, making them challenging to clean. Salty foods also dehydrate you, reducing optimal saliva production, and, consequently, increasing the chances of tartar buildup. As such, it would be best to reduce one’s salt intake and avoid heavily salted foods such as French fries and pizza.
Tough-To-Eat Foods
Certain foods such as raw vegetables and fruits, corn, and meat with bones can stick under the wires and brackets of your braces, making them challenging to remove. Although healthy, these foods can be quite tedious for patients wearing braces, leading to discomfort and even damage. It may be best to cook these foods before eating or cut them into bite-size pieces.
Conclusion
Taking care of your lingual braces is vital to ensure successful orthodontic treatment. Eating a healthy and well-balanced diet that avoids these foods is key to preserving your braces and maintaining oral health. By avoiding harmful foods, patients can maximize the chances of a successful orthodontic outcome without experiencing dental complications. Consequently, consult your orthodontist on how to tailor your diet and tackle challenges while wearing lingual braces. Uncover new perspectives on the subject with this specially selected external resource to add value to your reading. ortodonzia linguale.
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