What Does Your Orthodontist Recommend on Valentine’s Day?
If you or your loved ones plan to indulge in the sweets this year on Valentine’s Day, remember to take the correct preventative measures in keeping your mouth and teeth safe from harm. At Hanson Place Orthodontics in Brooklyn, NY, Dr. Yakov Eisenberger and Dr. Rahul Gulati both have the tools you need to get through the holiday and the days that follow safely and efficiently.
Many treats can cause destruction for children who have braces, clear aligners or other orthodontic appliances. Certain treats can be the cause toward potential damage that can delay orthodontic treatment. Learn about what treats you can eat and what you should avoid to protect your teeth and gums, and what you can do to obtain the best oral health.
4 safe tips for a healthy looking mouth:
- Avoid Hard or Sticky Candies: Eating candies such as Starbursts, Airheads, Lollipops, and the like can cause problems for your teeth such as cavities. These types of candy can be detrimental to both your oral health as well as your overall health. Dr. Eisenberger and Dr. Gulati suggest that we stay away from sticky substances such as caramels and gum, so as to not damage your braces or teeth. Instead of indulging on the sugar sweets this year, change to a new and healthier alternative for your Valentine’s Day tradition. Eating fruits and veggies will not only help work to keep your teeth strong, but will help prevent tooth decay and gum disease, and will give your teeth that long lasting feeling. It will also speed up the process for your orthodontic treatment.
- If you choose to eat candy, stick to those melt-in-your-mouth chocolates: Although these may not be the healthiest alternative to fruits and veggies, they sure are good! Chocolate-heart-shaped-boxes are infamous Valentine’s Day gifts. If you do eat these sweets, keep in my what they may do. Sticky substances found in these sweets such as caramel tend to stick to both the roof of our mouths and inside our teeth, and can cause damage if left on your teeth.
- So, remember to Clean your teeth after every meal: Keep a healthy brushing routine to maintain a clean looking mouth, and brush your teeth twice and floss once daily in order to keep the development of your teeth and mouth bright and strong. If it isn’t possible to brush your teeth right away, rinse your mouth with a glass of water to rid your mouth of any leftover food and sugar.
- Stay away from sugary drinks, such as soda: Stick to healthier drinks such as water, milk, and tea. Drinks that contain any sugar and caffeine tend to contribute to the discoloration of your teeth, and will destroy tooth enamel and the protective outer layer of each tooth.
Brace the ones you love! If you are new to the game of braces and orthodontics, you may be tempted by the candies that were once so easy for you to eat. However, on this Valentine’s Day, you have to be weary of what can do more harm than good to your mouth. Eating hard and sticky candies such as Jolly Ranchers, lollipops, gum drops, popcorn, and caramel may not be as simple as it used to be.These foods can be very difficult to clean off of teeth.
What Can Braces Fix?
- Overcrowding of teeth
- Our bite: Overbite and underbite
- Teeth alignment: Filling in any gaps between our teeth
- Jaw misalignment
There are several problems that braces can help fix. By seven years old, a child’s mouth is usually developed enough to recognize any of these potential dental issues. If you or your child are suffering from any orthodontic problems, don’t panic. Here at Hanson Place Orthodontics in , we are devoted to providing you with the proper dental care you need in finding that perfect smile. Please call us at 718.622.2659 to set an appointment with Dr. Eisenberger, Dr. Gulati, and our highly trained dental experts.
