My Braces Journey: Foods to Avoid + What I got from the Orthodontist

Hi everyone, this is a blog about what I got from the orthodontist. I will also be including a list of what you cannot eat and a list of foods that you can eat but have to control your intake of.

Part 1: What I got from the Orthodontist

When you get your braces on, the orthodontist is going to give you some stuff to help you with cleaning your teeth or to help with pain. Depending on where you live and who your orthodontist is, the items may differ. Here's what I got  from mine....

1. Orthodontic Wax- This is used when the bracket is poking your lip, or when the archwire is poking out at the back. All you need to do is take some, roll it into a little ball and place it over whichever bracket is irritating you. 

Orthodontic Wax

2. Ortho Toothbrush- This is a special toothbrush designed just for braces. It has a v- trim head instead of a regular brush. V-trim facilitates cleaning around orthodontic appliances such as brackets. As braces wear out toothbrushes faster than usual, you should change your toothbrush at the first sight of wear.

Ortho toothbrush

3. Orthoprox- This is a brush used to go in between brackets and hard to reach places. This is a lifesaver for when food is lodged in your archwire.

Orthoprox

Can I be frank??? Brushing with braces is a pain in the behind. But I have good news!!!! It gets easier as you go. When I first got my braces on, it took me 15 minutes to brush, floss and gargle. After a while, I got the hang of how and where to place my hand and the time reduced by 5-6 minutes.

Part 2: Foods to Eat and Foods to Avoid

Eating with braces includes a lot of discipline, because when you can't have something, it starts to look really appealing. No joke!! Especially when you go to watch a movie at the theater, and everybody is eating popcorn, and you're not allowed to have any........ it becomes a sad life.

I think people will start to lose weight once they get their braces on, considering you really have to keep track of and limit your sugar intake....... And when you're in pain, after getting your braces on and the tightenings, well food will be the last thing on your mind.

Here's a list of foods that are easy to eat after your monthly reviews or after you get your braces on:

1. Yogurt- I prefer those with fruits pieces in it but everybodies' different. If you prefer greek yogurt, I recommend the brand 'Thick and Creamy', it is the bomb!!
2. Soup- Mushroom soup, chicken soup, chinese herbal soup are all easy to eat, but be careful of the spoon, if it accidentally hits your teeth...... oh boy, it will hurt.
3. Porridge- Porridge or congee as some of you may call it is another awesome food to eat as you don't have to chew very much. 

Food to Avoid:

1. Popcorn- Oh the Horror!! I know, but no pain no gain, right?
2. Soda- You can have soda, but you have to limit your intake of it because sugar can build up between your brackets and cause cavities
3. Nuts- Hard foods in general can break your bracket, so that is a no go for the next two years.
4. Sweets- Toffee, Caramel, jawbreakers, anything overly sweet, hard or chewy should be avoided at all costs. It's bad for you anyway, so might as well cultivate a new habit.

All those foods above were just a general guideline, and remember, it's all based on experience. I'm no professional. Try to limit all unhealthy foods as it is bad for your body anyway. When eating vegetables and fruits, remember to cut them into bite sized pieces..

 Bye guys, have fun on your braces journey.Don't forget to Smile!!!!!