Teeth are something we take for granted, for the most part. So you may not yet have thought about how your new braces are going to impact your lifestyle. While orthodontic treatment is going to deliver some excellent results, such as a perfect smile, healthy teeth and boosted confidence, you may have to alter your life a little as you travel this journey. We promise you that it will be worth it in the end but here are some ways in which your braces may affect your lifestyle and how best to minimise that impact.

Food
Your orthodontist has probably already talked to you about some of the food which you should avoid while you’re wearing braces. However, there are very few types of food that we actively discourage you from eating at all. Most food can still be eaten just in a different form or with alternative preparation. For example, while biting into a whole apple can damage your braces, you can still enjoy this healthy snack if you cut the apple up first. Similarly, gnawing meat off a bone is awkward with braces but de-boned meat will be fine. Our orthodontists recommend our patients don’t eat the crusts of loaves but there is still plenty of soft bread to eat. Braces are less about cutting food out of your diet and more about adapting the way you eat to accommodate your new hardware.

We do strongly recommend you do not eat the following items in any form, however:

• Toffee
• Popcorn
• Ice
• Chewing gum
• Hard candy (if you’re not disciplined enough to not crunch them nor brush your teeth afterwards)

 
Sports
Some physical sports occasionally result in a knock to the mouth. Painful regardless of whether you are undergoing orthodontic treatment, when you are fitted with braces, this can be particularly dangerous. If your cheek is pressed harshly against the metal of your braces, cuts and abrasions may occur. Injuries to the mouth, with or without braces, can also result in teeth being chipped or knocked out. However, there is a very simple solution which your orthodontist can help you with. Get fitted with an orthodontic mouthguard to protect your braces and your teeth. Many contact sports require all players to be fitted with a mouthguard as standard and an orthodontic mouthguard is one which perfectly accommodates your braces as well as your teeth.

Brushing
We all know how important it is to brush twice a day. However, when you have braces, we advise brushing after every meal. Your braces create countless little crevices for stray food particles to lodge. If they are left for any prolonged time, they can cause staining to the enamel and tooth decay. We recommend putting together a small portable kit including a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss and a handheld mirror which you carry around with you at all times. That way you are able to de-spinach your teeth whenever and wherever you require.Brushing once more per day is not too much of an inconvenience compared tonumerous whitening treatments on stained teeth or ongoing dental work, is it?

There Is Another Way
Many patients are apprehensive about living with braces for a year or two. While we promise that the end result will be worth it, there is another way which is an option for some patients; Invisalign. Suitable for some mild to moderate orthodontic problems, Invisalign makes all of these impacts on our patients’ lives a thing of the past. With Invisalign’s removable, invisible plate, our patients can simply remove their orthodontic appliance to enjoy their favourite food, play their sports and brush without concern.

Whether you are eligible for Invisalign treatment or you are going to undergo more traditional orthodontic options, we promise you that your braces won’t impact your lifestyle as much as you think. While it may take a few weeks to adapt once you have them fitted, sooner or later you will probably forget you’re even wearing them and will be enjoying life as you were before. The only difference being that you and your teeth are moving, day by day, towards your perfect smile.