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What Can’t You Do with Braces?

Many people worry that when they get braces they’ll have to give up a lot of the activities and foods they enjoy, but that’s often not the case! There are a lot of things you can continue to do with braces: play instruments, sports, and games. So, what can’t you do with braces? Here’s a list.

1. Play Sports without a Mouthguard

One of the most asked questions we get when patients first get braces: “Can I still play my favorite sport?” The answer is typically “yes!” but with one caveat: make sure to wear a mouthguard!

A mouthguard (or sportsguard) is a thin piece of flexible plastic that fits over your teeth and braces to help absorb the shock from any impact you might encounter. Wearing one can help protect your teeth and braces from damage. Wearing a mouthguard isn’t always required when playing sports, but it is important if you want to keep your smile protected.

2. Crunch Crunchy Foods

Eating crunchy foods like raw carrots, nuts, peanut brittle, and other hard foods can put excessive force on your braces, which can result in brackets and wires breaking or coming loose. Ask your orthodontist for a general list of foods to avoid while you have braces to help you skip the need for extra visits to the orthodontist for repairs.

3. Chew Chewy Foods

Chewy and sticky foods are also top culprits that often bring our patients into the office for emergency visits due to a loose wire or broken bracket. We know it can be tough to say no to some of your favorite treats, but you’ll only have braces for a short time in the grand scheme of things, so you’ll be able to enjoy them again before too long!

4. Skip Appointments

When you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment, it’s important to make it to all of your appointments! Of course, if you’re sick it’s totally understandable and best to cancel. But doing your best not to skip appointments unnecessarily is important to help ensure that your progress stays on track so that your braces treatment can be completed as soon as possible!

5. Try to Fix your Braces Yourself

If your braces do break, that’s ok, too. Just make sure not to try to fix them yourself. Special tools and training are required to repair braces, so it’s something only your orthodontist should do. If your braces break, just give us a call!

A New Perspective

If you’re feeling impatient about some things on this list, sometimes it can help to ask the question, “What CAN you do with braces?” instead of “What can’t you do with braces?” It can be encouraging to realize there are many more things you can still do compared to those you can’t!

If you want to learn more answers to the question, “What can’t you do with braces?” don’t hesitate to ask your orthodontist! We’re always happy to help you learn more about how to take good care of your braces so you can get the most out of your treatment.

Call our New Caney Dental Office to make an appointment with a dentist who may be able to help you find out more about this topic, and improve your oral health.

New Caney Dental & Orthodontics