When you get braces in Melbourne, FL, one thing that you probably already know is that it will affect your diet. There are certain types of foods that you have to avoid eating with braces installed. There are also some drinks that have the potential to cause serious problems with your teeth while wearing braces too. Here’s a closer look at that topic.

Sugary Drinks Are a Problem

Drinks that have a really high sugar content are likely to cause you problems if you have braces. The sugar in these kinds of drinks adheres to the teeth and braces very easily — and it creates the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. These bacteria grow and multiply in the sugar, and then secrete a type of acid that eats away at the enamel on the teeth.

The enamel is the outer shell that protects your teeth. If too much enamel is removed through that combination of sugar, bacteria, and acid, it can cause the enamel to change color and eventually develop cavities.

Drinks You Should Avoid With Braces

Here are the types of drinks that you should diligently try to avoid when you have braces:

• Sweet tea (unless artificially sweetened)
• Lemonade
• Juices 
• Gatorade and Powerade
• Sugar-sweetened energy drinks

And there’s one more type of drink to avoid: soda. Many teens and adults drink both regular and diet soda as a normal part of their diet. The bad news is that most types of soda have an extremely high concentration of sugars.

But what about diet sodas with “zero” sugar? Well, there’s bad news about those as well. Even diet sodas are extremely acidic and can damage the enamel on your teeth if you make them a regular habit.

Then What Can You Drink With Braces?

Plain old water is perfectly safe to drink when you wear braces. Boring, right? But the good news is that water is good for your teeth and your whole body. It helps you stay hydrated, helps prevent fatigue, stabilizes your blood pressure and does not create any danger of developing cavities while you are doing the hard work of straightening your teeth with braces.

Another great choice is milk. If you like milk, you’re in luck because it keeps you hydrated and helps to strengthen your teeth and bones.

If you absolutely must have something to drink that is sweet, your best option is something that is artificially sweetened. These options can still be acidic, and your orthodontist will still recommend that you brush your teeth after drinking them.

Think you can’t enjoy any of your favorite drinks?  That is actually not true.  If you must indulge in sugary and acidic drinks, just be sure to thoroughly brush after enjoying them.  This will control most of the negative aspects of having that type of drink.  If it is not possible to brush, at least swish water around your mouth to help cleanse it as well as possible.

Taking Good Care of Your Braces

The dietary changes that are required for success with braces are one of the most difficult things to adjust to. The important thing to keep in mind is that it’s only temporary. The day when your braces come off, and you switch to only wearing a retainer at night, is coming.

In the meantime, try to remember that the commitment you have made to wearing braces is going to result in straight teeth and a wonderful smile. It takes some work and discipline, but remember the payoff: That smile!

Brushing your teeth after every meal is extremely important. Spend adequate time and care so that deposits of sugars and/or bits of food can’t build up.

Getting a cavity while you have braces is not the end of the world, but it may interrupt the process. If a cavity is located in a place where it just can’t be reached, one of your braces may have to be temporarily removed to take care of it. It is more important to keep the health and integrity of your teeth intact in the long run. But that also means that the braces will then have to be rebonded after a cavity is filled.

Call Us With Any Questions About Braces

We love serving the Melbourne, FL area’s orthodontic patients. If you have any questions about braces or want to see if you or your child is a good candidate for braces, contact us at Reddick Orthodontics to set up a consultation.