Archive for category: BRO News

Starting orthodontic treatment comes with lots of life changes, some of which are exciting, like feeling the subtle shift as your teeth are aligned into a brilliant new smile, but others can be less thrilling, like learning the proper way to brush with braces. One of the most important adjustments that a person has to make, once they’ve gotten past some of the normal side effects of braces like mild pain, is the way that they eat.

Whatever your diet was before braces, it will likely experience some changes during the time of your treatment. Braces are sturdy enough to shift your teeth into the ideal arrangement, but they are also fragile and susceptible to breakage. We’ve compiled the complete guide to help you navigate through all manner of snacking without damaging the hardware.

Enjoy Smoothies

An easy go-to right off the bat is smoothies. They can be as nutritious and delicious as you’d like and can pretty much be modified to suit all palates and dietary needs. Smoothies are an excellent way to get a full serving of fruits and veggies without the risk of doing any damage to your braces. Bananas, berries, yogurt, almond milk, blueberries, and almond butter are just a few smoothie staples that taste great and fill you up.

The Softer the Better

When it comes to certain foods, like cheeses or fruits, the softer the item, the easier it’ll be on your teeth and braces, especially the first couple weeks. You don’t have to cut these items out entirely, but try to limit them to their softest form. If you’re a diehard cheese fan, brie is always a great option, or throw a couple of slices of cheddar between two pieces of bread and make a grilled cheese. Fruits like grapes, bananas, and sliced pears are all easy solutions for a braces-friendly snack, and they taste great on their own or mixed together in a summer salad!

Cups Go Where You Go

Things like fruit and pudding cups have come a long way since I was a kid. Not only are they generally made with better quality ingredients and less unnecessary sugar, but they come in easy to pull-apart packaging that is good to go wherever your busy schedule takes you. If you have kids with braces, throw a couple in their lunch box to enjoy while they’re at school.

The Soft Side of Salads

Certain salads will be a much better option than others. These include soft fruit salads—like those featuring bananas, citrus, or pears, potato salad—macaroni salad, and couscous salad. Just be sure to chop up the pieces in your salad into small bite sizes. This will ensure that you’re not spending too much time or effort biting things in half and that your back teeth are doing most of the chewing work.

Go for a Wrap over a Baguette

Thick, crusty bread, while tasty, is not going to be your friend while you have braces. Instead, opt for a wrap, which is both easier to bite through and healthier overall. Fill it up with whatever ingredients you like that won’t cause an issue with your braces and slice your wrap into small pinwheels for snacking.

Tap Your Culinary Creativity

While following a diet that’s easy on your braces may feel restrictive, adding flair to your cuisine will keep things interesting and may spark an interest in cooking. Try your hand at creating your own peanut butter yogurt dip, make fun out of designing a fruit salad bowl, or, for the real gourmand, try your hand at making your own pretzel bites and switching up the way that you flavor them. Does homemade ice cream sound good to you? Us too! And it’s easy if you follow any one of these recipes:

• 10 minute homemade ice cream
• Top 50 homemade ice cream and popsicle recipes
• Cotton candy ice cream
• Homemade pumpkin pie ice cream

(Be sure to avoid adding chocolate chips or other items that might damage braces)

Just remember, when cooking at home with braces in mind, the softer the food, the better you’ll manage.

Foods You Should Avoid

While we’re always happy to share with you the delicious foods that you can indulge in as a daily snack, we feel it’s important to remind you of the foods that you should be careful to avoid. They include any food that you would consider tough, sticky, or hard. Foods that fit this description and should be avoided would be:

• Corn chips
• Popcorn
• Peanut butter (okay if blended into a smoothie)
• Nuts
• Hard or sticky candy
• Hard taco shells
• Ice
• Pretzels

Any foods similar to the above should be totally avoided until after treatment has been completed and braces are off.

Use Caution with These Snacking Options

While some items are off limits (see the above list), other foods are okay to eat but require a judgment call on the best way to do so. Things like raw carrots and corn on the cob can both wreak total havoc on a set of braces if they aren’t first prepared. For the carrots, chop them up into smaller pieces that can be chewed with a person’s back teeth. The corn should be cut off the cob and eaten with a fork. Doing this will save your braces from any damage and ensure that you’re not running off to an emergency orthodontist appointment for yourself or a loved one.

Other foods that require cautious eating are hard breads like a baguette or bagel, pizza crust, apples, chips, burgers, and sub sandwiches. When in doubt, cut something into manageable, bite sizes first.

Conclusion

Braces don’t have to spell doom for your diet—there are plenty of ways to keep what you eat healthy and interesting while simultaneously protecting your braces. Be sure to check out our Unbeatable Braces Friendly Diet for more recipe ideas. Orthodontic correction always comes with a bit of getting used to, but it’ll be worth it. Just remember to keep this guide handy and comment below with any questions.

Are you or someone you know interested in learning more about braces? Be sure to check out the things we think you should know before getting braces, then feel free to contact us to set up a complimentary consultation with one of our doctors. You’ll get to ask all the questions that you’ve always had about orthodontic correction techniques and come up with a payment plan that fits your needs.

There is often a lot of talk here at BRO about all the fabulous benefits from orthodontic treatment, such as improved confidence and overall oral health, but what else can happen? Are there any risks or adverse effects when it comes to straightening your teeth with braces?

While the chances of anything bad happening during treatment are very slim, there are always risks when it comes to dental or medical procedures. Complications can occur as a result of your dental treatment, but that’s not to say that all side effects are abnormal. We’ve compiled a guide to inform future and current patients of what effects from braces are totally standard and which aren’t.

Common Side Effects of Braces

Mild Discomfort

Some discomfort with braces is totally normal and should be expected. Since braces work by manually shifting your teeth into proper alignment, discomfort is an effect more often than not. This can be concentrated on your teeth or manifest as headaches, both of which are common. Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help most people relieve whatever tension or pain they feel. If headaches or pains become much worse over time, do let your dentist know as it could be a sign of something else at work.

Irritation

Your mouth won’t be used to the wires and brackets that make up the braces you’re wearing, and it will take a while for your lips to adjust to the right position. During this time, it’s very likely that you will feel some mild irritation. Fortunately, plenty of products exist whose sole purpose is to reduce said irritation, orthodontic wax being the most popular. Place the wax over an entire section or single bracket in an area that’s bothering you and feel the immediate relief. If there’s a sharp wire that’s poking you or causing your mouth to bleed, talk to your orthodontist about it ASAP.

Jaw Pain

Jaw pain is a possible side effect of braces, especially if your treatment requires the realignment of your jaw. Over-the-counter pain medications may help manage this pain, depending on its severity. This may reoccur after every tightening, as well.

Difficulty Eating

Difficulty chewing and eating food is a big complaint that we receive, especially after a tightening. It’s times like those that our braces friendly diet is even more handy to have around. While it may be difficult to eat solid foods for a short time, this side effect will likely resolve itself quickly.

Unusual Effects from Braces

Now that we’ve covered the common side effects that a person can expect to experience during treatment, let’s consider some complications that could occur as a result of wearing braces. If you find yourself experiencing any of these, get in touch with your dentist or orthodontist to discuss what the cause is and what options are available to you.

Tooth Decay

Tooth decay as a result of poor hygiene is possible with any set of teeth, but that’s especially true when it comes to teeth with braces on. It’s very important for all braces patients to thoroughly clean their teeth each and every day, meaning brushing twice and flossing at least once daily. If your tooth does start to decay rapidly, steps might have to be taken that will delay treatment.

Decalcification

Good dental hygiene practices are always important but especially so for patients in braces. Decalcification appears as white marks on the teeth and is just one side effect of poor hygiene. Cavities can also occur if food and plaque are not removed regularly. These issues are very preventable with regular, thorough brushing and flossing as well as a diet that is low in sugar.

Allergic Reactions

Some patients, though not many, can experience an allergic reaction to the latex rubber in the elastics used in braces or the metal. Known allergies should be communicated to our doctors clearly if you or a loved one are coming to us for treatment. Latex-free elastics and alternative metals are available to be used in situations such as these.

Root Resorption

Root resorption is the shortening of roots during the time that a person has braces on. This can be little more than a slight diminishing of the root tip that won’t result in any long-term oral health problems. Rarely, patients experience a shortening of at least half of the root, which could cause significant changes to their long-term health.

The exact cause is not yet known, but wearing braces beyond 2-3 years tends to increase the chances of it happening. Our office takes consistent x-rays to determine if any root resorption has occurred.

Ankylosis

Another rare condition that can have a large impact on a person’s health is Ankylosis or the fusion of the tooth root to the bone. Fused teeth will not be moved by braces, and all surrounding teeth will start to move around the ankylosed tooth, resulting in improper alignment. This complication is difficult to predict and may be identified through an x-ray and clinical examination if the situation calls for it.

Relapsed Teeth

Though not exactly a complication, the relapse or movement of teeth back to a previous position is a common consequence after braces have been removed. If patients don’t wear their retainers regularly, teeth can easily relapse, especially immediately after removal. You don’t want to waste all the time and money that you devoted to your beautiful new smile, so be sure to take care of it and wear your retainers.

While the above side effects are possible, the much more likely situation is that you will end your experience with braces confident and happy with your new smile. If you have questions about braces and how they impact your teeth, feel free to talk to one of our dental professionals. We offer complimentary consultations to all new patients and those considering orthodontic work– click here to request an appointment. And we would be happy to discuss your options with you concerning braces, other kinds of orthodontic treatment styles, and financial solutions.

So, you’ve found yourself curious of braces? Perhaps your teeth are a little crooked, or your daughters overbite needs some help. Whatever the reason, you’re not alone: over four million Americans are wearing braces at this very moment. But there are some things you should know about braces before you dive into the orthodontic deep end.

1) You may have a minor lisp

So you may have a minor lisp when you get your teeth straightened with braces. Why? When you attach metal brackets to the teeth, there’s almost no way that it won’t impact the way you speak. Please don’t worry if you find your speech impacted after getting braces from us in Asheville, you will get used to talking with the extra hardware in a short amount of time. This is a first step on the way to the straight teeth you’ve always wanted!

As a side note, you may want to consider Invisalign or Impressions if this is a major concern.

2) Don’t forget to bring lip balm

Lip balm is going to be crucial to your comfort during treatment. This is true even from the first day, when your orthodontist applies the brackets to your mouth. This process can take a couple hours, and there’s no way to moisten your lips while it takes place. You’d be wise to bring some nourishing lip balm with you to your appointment to avoid discomfort.

3) The application of the actual braces hurts

There really isn’t any way to sugar coat this: the application of braces doesn’t feel good. The process itself will take up to two hours to complete, and during that time the patient should expect to feel some pain and discomfort. Since you’re already out and will be at the office for a couple of hours, why not take off the rest of the afternoon to recover with a smoothie and some favorite movies?

4) There’s an uncomfortable feeling for the first few weeks

You’ve probably never had anything stuck to the front of your tooth before, and now there are two rows of brackets adhered to each chomper. It’s going to be an adjustment getting used to braces, but this will happen remarkably fast. In a matter of weeks, you won’t even remember what you looked like before you had braces on!

5) Flossing is a challenge

Flossing has never been the easiest activity一although it’s one of the most important一and braces don’t help. Most people who have braces find flossing to be nearly impossible. While that may be true, it doesn’t change the fact that cleaning your teeth is crucial to your health, with or without braces.

Some items that could help include flossing threaders, which help pull regular floss through the gap, or a water flosser, which uses a narrow stream of water to displace leftover food particles. While water flossers are easier to use with braces, most dentists don’t recommend them as a substitute to braces.

6) People of all ages have braces

You may not have noticed it before, but folks of all ages use braces to achieve the smile they’ve always wanted. Once you have braces on, you’ll realize just how many others are going through the same process that you are.

7) It won’t matter to a potential crush

People with braces have not always been painted in the best light by movies and TV shows, but reality is much better! So many of us have either had braces or currently have them that they’re now considered totally normal. That special person at school or work isn’t going to care if you have braces; they are going to love your smile!

8) Food will get stuck in your braces

This is a definite. Food will naturally get stuck in and around your braces. We recommend traveling with a braces care kit or anything that contains a spare toothbrush, toothpaste, floss and floss threaders. And parents: remember to pack something like this in your child’s backpack when they head back to school.

9) Tightening is essential but it can hurt

Tightening braces can hurt a bit, but the pain will soon fade and you will be one step closer to the smile that you’ve always wanted. This is obviously going to be different for everyone, but if you are someone who is considering braces, it’s important that you’re aware.

10) Your teeth will change a lot in the first month alone

Braces make quick work of reshaping the look of your teeth and smile. In just the first month alone, you should notice a much straighter set of pearly whites. Just imagine what they’ll look like after you get then taken off in Weste!

11) Braces will make your lips look little different

The hardware that comes standard with braces will push your lips out, making them look more pronounced. Please note that those same brackets may cut your lips on occasion, so we recommend keeping some wax at home.

12) You’ll be part of a special club

When you get braces, you’ll begin to recognize others who are going through the same thing, and you’ll undoubtedly bond over your shared style of treatment. The bond that’s created between you and another person with braces could turn into something to smile about years down the road!

13) Wax is a lifesaver

Orthodontic wax is usually applied to the brackets on your teeth to protect your lips from rubbing or abrasions, which will be a huge relief especially during the early months. Make sure that you talk to your dentist about the proper way to apply wax to your brackets and don’t forget to take wax off before you start eating a meal.

14) Food can get stuck for long periods of time

One of the most challenging parts of having braces is dealing with food and leftover food particles, even those items that are suggested as part of our Unbeatable Braces Friendly Diet. Unfortunately, it’s very common for a piece of food to be stuck in your braces for a long period of time only to become dislodged hours later. This isn’t particularly pleasant, and if you’re an adult in the workplace or worried about this phenomenon, be sure to bring a cleaning kit with you everywhere you go.

15) The time will fly by

This may be debatable, but for most patients, especially those that embrace the process and look forward to the outcome, the time they spend with braces on tends to fly by. While treatment can take anywhere from eight months to two years, most people get so accustomed to their braces that they are amazed when it’s already time to take them off.

16) They’re expensive, but it’s worth it

All orthodontic care tends to be expensive, and braces are no different. Some countries provide better coverage for expenses like braces than others, but most people will end up paying something out of pocket. Even though it requires some money, braces are definitely worth it in the end. The feelings of confidence and joy that you get as a result truly are priceless.

Our practice is proud to work with most insurance companies and offer financing options. Contact our offices for more information.

17) You may have setbacks

Setbacks are a natural part of life, and with braces it’s no different. Your orthodontist may only realize something specific to your case after treatment has been underway, and they could add a couple extra months to the length of time that you’ll be wearing braces. This shouldn’t be something you stress over一you know those brackets are coming off eventually!

18) Your bite is as important as straight teeth

Many people think of braces as just a device to straighten the alignment of your teeth, but they are also crucial to correcting your bite. Over or underbites are just as important to a perfect smile as the position of the individual teeth. This can add some time to treatment overall, but it will be worth it.

19) Smoothies will be your best friend

Smoothies are a braces-wearer’s best friend, especially in the early months of treatment or after a tightening. It would be smart to learn how to make a delicious, protein and nutrient rich smoothie, and every now and then, indulge in a chocolate milkshake for good measure.

20) Your smile is worth the investment

All the pain and discomfort that you endure during the period of treatment will absolutely disappear from your mind the moment that you get your braces off. There really is no comparison to the feeling of having a perfect smile, and braces will definitely give you something to smile about.

If you or someone you know is interested in getting braces, contact our office to set up an appointment. Our doctors are very familiar with braces and have been treating families in the Asheville area for many years. If you are interested in Invisalign instead, then we recommend reading this next.

It’s the time of year that all parents look forward to (and their kids secretly do too)一school has started once more! The beginning of a new school year can mean a lot to families in the Asheville area: new teachers to meet, new friends to make, and life will return to its normal schedule.

Though the transition can be difficult at times, one thing that never makes it easier is dealing with braces for the first time. Orthodontists see a lot of new patients over the summer months, and plenty of kids will welcome the school year with a fresh set of hardware on their teeth.

As a leading provider of braces in Western North Carolina, we get plenty of questions from concerned parents wondering what they can do to ensure their kids take proper care of their teeth and braces during the school year, so we’ve compiled a guide. This is the ultimate breakdown for surviving the back to school season with braces.

Eat Carefully

The braces-friendly diet is crucial to keeping braces intact. Most orthodontists will go over the right and wrong foods to eat with braces when your child first gets them put on, but it’s important to revisit those lists again. To set your child up for success, consider packing their lunch to ensure they only eat foods that are braces-friendly. Cafeteria lunch options can often cause issues for kids and endanger their gear.

Any crunchy or hard foods like nuts, trail mix, carrots and chips are a no-go for patients with braces. Remind your children of this before they head back to school so they’ll stay away from snacks containing these items. The same goes for gum and candy.

Bite-sized foods are best for those with braces. When packing your child’s lunch, be sure to break apart or cut up their food into smaller portions.

Foods that Work

There are tons of foods that are fine for patients with braces to enjoy. Some highly recommended options include:

• Mashed potatoes
• Mousse
• Pudding
• Yoghurt
• Soft meats and cheeses
• Meatloaf
• Eggs
• Seafood
• Rice
• Casserole
• Quiche
• Soft fruits
• Steamed vegetables
• Pancakes
• Pasta
• Ravioli
• Smoothies
• Ice cream

Foods to Avoid

Other foods that are not good for braces include:

• Raw vegetables
• Italian bread
• Thin crust pizza
• Whole apples
• Hard candy
• Pretzels
• Meat on the bone
• Peanut butter
• Nuts
• Seeds
• Granola bars
• Caramel
• Gum

Remember to adhere to the above lists, but also try and keep your child’s diet healthy. A balanced diet can be very beneficial to the overall health of your mouth. An option to keep meals nutritious is to take items on the list to avoid and steam or cook them into safer, smaller, more manageable servings.

Resources for Meal Prep

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There are a number of good books and resources available to assist with preparing meals for braces. These items are filled with recipe ideas to keep your child’s braces safe and secure, while also keeping their stomachs full. They include:

• The Tender Teeth Cookbook
• The Braces Cookbook
• Super Healthy Kids (This website designs meal plans for you)

Bring a Care Kit

After your child has eaten their lunch packed full of braces-friendly foods, there will come a time when they must go the extra step to ensure the health of their teeth. That means brushing their teeth in the school bathroom, which isn’t exactly appealing.

With braces, and even without, teeth need to be cleaned after each meal. This is especially important for kids to understand during the school year, as they’ll be tempted to slack on their responsibilities. Make this action more enticing by packing a Braces Care Kit for them to take to school with them always.

This kit should include:

• A toothbrush
• Floss
• Mouthwash
• Extra elastics
• Dental wax
• A small mirror

Be sure to talk with your dentist about this crucial step before going back to school. They may be able to recommend some more inconspicuous options for patients who get nervous at the idea of brushing at school.

Stay Hydrated

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Have your kids hop on the trend of bringing their own bottle of water with them everywhere they go. Not only is it better for preserving the beauty of our planet, it’s also good for them to get in the habit of drinking tons of water. Water intake can rinse food from wires and brackets, keeping their teeth and mouth clean. Soda might be tasty, but it can leave behind nasty residue and cause cavities.

Protect Your Mouth

This is an important reminder for all braces patients out there. Though gym class and sports after school are very important to boost health and keep kids active, they are also a hotbed for orthodontic accidents. To truly protect their mouth, have your kids wear a mouthguard to prevent impact or injury.

Mouthguards are designed to cushion a blow and prevent breakage or lacerations of the teeth and mouth. An injury with braces can not only damage the hardware, it can seriously cut up a person’s lips. Several kinds of mouthguards are available in lots of colors, including custom-made mouthguards and boil-and-bite ones. Talk to your orthodontist about how to get a special orthodontic mouthguard to fit over both teeth and braces.

Em-Brace Safety

via GIPHY

Safety is a huge part of any parent’s life. Young kids should always be reminded of the best practices to keep them safe, and that goes double for kids with braces. They shouldn’t go running around in or near puddles of water, and diving head first into a pool is never a good idea. Remind them to wear helmets when riding on bikes or skateboards, or any other sport that may carry the threat of a head injury.

Keeping your children safe and safeguarding the investment of their braces can be easy as long as you remember to embrace simple rules of safety. Talk to your kids often about the best ways they can take care of themselves, as well as the importance of treating their braces with respect.

Conclusion

Braces can be tricky, but surviving the start of the school year doesn’t have to be. Remember these tips and tricks and you’ll make life a lot easier on you and your family.

Kids can be a little self-conscious, especially when it comes to having braces. Show them how to love themselves no matter what and remind them that their dream smile is only a couple of months away!

If you have any questions regarding braces or wish to speak to one of our doctors, schedule a complimentary consultation. We are proud to offer orthodontic support and services to many people in the Asheville area.