The decision to get braces involves a temporary shift in lifestyle, particularly concerning diet, while the orthodontic hardware works to align the teeth. The initial weeks following placement are often the most challenging, as the teeth and gums adjust to the new forces applied by the wires and brackets. During this sensitive adjustment period, temporary dietary changes are necessary to prevent discomfort and protect the delicate appliance from damage. Understanding which foods pose a risk is paramount to keeping the treatment on schedule and avoiding emergency trips to the orthodontist.
Corn Dogs A Direct Assessment
Consuming a corn dog with braces presents a significant risk due to its dual texture profile and the mechanics of eating it. The outer layer is a fried cornmeal batter, which can range from soft to highly crunchy and firm. Biting into a hard crust exerts considerable pressure on the brackets, particularly those on the front teeth, which are not designed to withstand concentrated shearing forces.
The second major hazard is the wooden stick, which requires the wearer to bite directly into the corn dog to remove the food. This action forces the front teeth to act as incisors, a motion orthodontists advise against, as it can easily shear the brackets off the tooth surface. Even if the crust is soft, pulling the food off the stick can place undue tension on the archwire, leading to bending or detachment of a bracket.
To consume a corn dog safely, the food must be removed from the stick and cut into small, bite-sized pieces. The hard, crunchy crust should be trimmed away, leaving only the softer sausage and interior batter for chewing with the back molars. While this modification allows for consumption, the consensus remains cautious due to the temptation to bite directly into the whole item.
Food Textures That Damage Braces
Orthodontic damage is categorized by the force the food exerts on the appliance, leading to three main textures to avoid. Foods that are excessively hard or crunchy pose a risk because the sudden, high-impact force can break the adhesive bond holding the bracket to the tooth, or bend the archwire out of alignment. This category includes items like ice, nuts, hard candies, and popcorn kernels, which can cause instantaneous damage.
Sticky and chewy foods create a different mechanical problem by applying a sustained, pulling force to the wires and brackets. The adhesive nature of foods like caramel, taffy, chewing gum, and gummy candies allows them to latch onto the hardware, tugging at the brackets until they loosen or dislodge. This continuous pulling action can also deform the archwire, slowing down treatment progress and requiring an unscheduled repair appointment.
Foods that require incisive biting are problematic because they apply concentrated force to the most vulnerable brackets. This includes eating whole apples, raw carrots, or corn on the cob, where the front teeth bear the full load of the bite. To safely consume these items, they should be prepared by slicing them into small, manageable pieces that can be chewed with the posterior teeth.
What To Do If Braces Are Damaged
If you feel or see that a component of your braces is damaged, the first step is to inspect the area to determine the nature of the damage. A loose bracket still attached to the wire, or a wire end poking the cheek or gum, requires immediate management to prevent further irritation. Contact your orthodontist’s office as soon as possible to report the incident and schedule a repair appointment.
Temporary relief for sharp edges can be achieved by applying a small amount of orthodontic wax directly over the problematic bracket or wire. If a loose wire is protruding, a clean cotton swab or the eraser end of a pencil can be used to gently push the wire into a less irritating position. Rinsing the mouth with warm salt water can soothe any existing sores or cuts caused by the hardware.
If a bracket completely detaches from the tooth or the damage causes significant, unmanageable pain, this constitutes an orthodontic emergency that requires prompt professional attention. Always save any detached components, such as a loose bracket, to bring to the repair appointment. Do not attempt to cut a wire or re-glue a bracket yourself, as this can worsen the damage and significantly delay treatment.