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When You’re Adjusting to Braces: Mealtime | Kenilworth Dentist

When a patient needs braces, one of the first questions is how will my daily life change? Will I still be able to eat my favorite foods? How do I brush my teeth? And it’s safe to say that there will be some adjustments made to the way you brush and floss, and your diet will change a bit as well, especially if you choose to have traditional braces. And this is because brackets are attached to your teeth using a basic dental cement, so eating foods that are hard or sticky can cause the brackets to pop off, which will mean an unexpected dental visit for repair and delaying your treatment.

Not only that, but food that cannot be cleaned off braces with a simple brushing and flossing, which may lead to discoloration and decay of your teeth. Things aren’t going to drastically change, but you will need to learn to do things differently for a while. The good thing is, if you stay on task, your experience will go smoothly. Here is a quick reference guide to the various food choices that will become suspect during your times wearing braces:

  • Absolutely no gum, sugarless or otherwise
  • Chewy foods like bagels, hard rolls and licorice
  • Crunchy foods, such as popcorn, ice and chips
  • Sticky foods, including caramels, taffy and gum
  • Hard foods like nuts are healthy but can break your teeth like hard candy, so beware
  • Crispy foods you bite into, like corn on the cob, apples or carrots
  • Also, avoid biting into non-food items, such as nail biting and pencil-chewing habits

For more information regarding food restrictions while wearing braces, contact Drs. Freund and Waterloo today at 847-251-8990 or visit www.villagedentalpc.com.

Drs. Chad Freund and Cathy Waterloo proudly serves Kenilworth and all surrounding areas.

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ClearCorrect: The Clear Alternative | Kenilworth Dentist

When we have a nice smile, it is easy to show it off to everyone we meet. But for those of us that have a less than stellar smile, we need to pursue other ways to achieve it. When it comes to orthodontics, we have a couple of options, depending on the condition of our issues – traditional braces and invisible braces. Crooked teeth won’t stand a chance. Braces are ideal to fix this dental issue. Unfortunately, as we age, the less we want to improve our smile with traditional braces. The alternative to metal braces with no brackets and no wires. The answer is ClearCorrect invisible braces.

With ClearCorrect, your dentist or orthodontist can straighten your teeth using a series of clear, customized removable aligners. Each aligner moves your teeth just a little bit at a time until you eventually get straight teeth. What goes into this discreet transformation? Take a look…

First, your dentist will take impressions, photos and x-rays of your teeth that ClearCorrect uses to create your custom aligners. These are sent to ClearCorrect, along with a prescription for your new custom aligners. A 3D model of your teeth will then be created so you and your dentist are able to see the projected results of treatment. When you are satisfied with the projected results, ClearCorrect will begin manufacturing your custom aligners.

You will wear the aligners at all times, except when eating, drinking and brushing/flossing. The ClearCorrect aligners are barely noticeable and won’t interfere with daily life. Your teeth will slowly adjust and align with each new aligner you receive, and eventually you will have the straight beautiful smile you have always dreamed of.

For more information regarding ClearCorrect aligners, contact Drs. Chad Freund and Cathy Waterloo today at 847-251-8990 or visit www.villagedentalpc.com.

Drs. Freund and Waterloo proudly serves Kenilworth and all surrounding areas.

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Food Changes to Expect with Braces | Kenilworth Dentist

When you get traditional braces, there are a lot of changes that comes with it. Not only are there lots of metal and wiring in your mouth to get used to, but there are also lots of lifestyle changes that will take place while your teeth are straightening out. One of these changes is your new diet.

Because brackets are attached to your teeth using a basic dental cement, eating foods that are extra hard or sticky can cause the brackets to pop off, which will mean an unexpected dental visit for repair and delaying your treatment. Even though our braces and wires are metal, and we consider metal to be very strong, they are fragile and are usually damaged by eating the wrong foods. Not only that, but food that cannot be cleaned off braces with a simple brushing and flossing may lead to discoloration and decay of your teeth. We are trying to get a straight smile – why ruin it with discoloration and decay from lack of care? To keep you on track of your new dietary restrictions, keep this general list of things to avoid while correcting the flaws:

  • Absolutely no gum, sugarless or otherwise
  • Chewy foods like bagels, hard rolls and licorice
  • Crunchy foods, such as popcorn, ice and chips
  • Sticky foods, including caramels, taffy and gum
  • Hard foods like nuts are healthy but can break your teeth like hard candy
  • Crispy foods you bite into, like corn on the cob, apples or carrots
  • Also avoid biting into non-food items, such as nail-biting and pencil-chewing habits

So, as you can see, there will be some definite changes, but you’re getting a prettier smile – it’s just a temporary inconvenience to achieve the smile you’ve always wanted.

For more information regarding eating with braces, contact Drs. Freund and Waterloo today at 847-251-8990 or visit www.villagedentalpc.com.

Drs. Chad Freund and Cathy Waterloo proudly serves Kenilworth and all surrounding areas.