Foods to Eat and Avoid with Traditional Braces

It’s natural to think that once traditional braces are applied to the teeth, you won’t be able to enjoy the foods that you’ve grown so accustomed to eating. Though traditional braces come with limits, there are ways to modify your diet to adjust to this new lifestyle of wires and brackets. Once you complete your orthodontic appointment with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS, he may give you a list of the foods that are safe to eat and the ones to avoid such as the following.

Because you are likely to experience some discomfort during your first week with braces, you’ll probably want to incorporate more soft foods into your diet. Avoid foods that are tough, and opt for something like yogurt, cheese, mashed potatoes, pasta, or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. It’s critical to avoid hard and crunchy foods, especially during the first few months, as they can loosen your wires and brackets. We understand that the urge to resist pizza crust, potato chips, and sticky foods like gum, licorice, or any type of candy, but we assure you that you will be able to enjoy these foods to the fullest at some point.

If you have questions or concerns regarding orthodontic treatment or orthodontic care, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.eniddentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213. 

What is an Underbite?

The main cause of an underbite is a misalignment of the lower jaw, which is usually present at birth. An underbite, clinically called prognathism, is the malocclusion or “bad bite” that happens when the lower teeth overlap the upper teeth. Just because your mouth may have this problem doesn’t mean that it’s untreatable. If you have been diagnosed with an underbite, Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS can correct the problem with dental braces.

Although far less common than overbites, underbites still affect 5-10 percent of the population. An extreme underbite can cause facial abnormality, resulting in an extended chin. In addition to the aesthetic problem, underbites including difficulty with chewing, swallowing and speaking. Underbites may also wear down tooth enamel and increase your chances of developing tooth decay or other dental problems such as TMJ disorder.

If you would like to discuss malocclusion treatment options, please give us a call. To learn about services we provide at our practice, visit www.eniddentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Dennis Morehart, DDS in Enid, OK, call 580-237-2213.