Few people are lucky enough to be born with perfectly aligned teeth. But for the rest of us we have a chance to achieve that through Orthodontic help/ intervention. Crooked teeth can be a real problem, no matter how old you are. The biggest blow is to self-esteem because mal-aligned and unusually placed teeth are considered unattractive. Orthodontic treatment helps in the correcting teeth crowding, correcting your bite so that the upper and lower teeth meet evenly and also it improves your entire appearance. Braces and Invisalign are both very popular treatment options to achieve straighter teeth and a healthier mouth. 

As with anything that is new, you will take time to get used to your braces. Brackets are not the most comfortable initially and there are a few changes you need to make to your diet and brushing habits to have a good experience. Eating proper food and minimising sugar intake is essential during your treatment. Your braces are precise appliances that can get damaged by eating hard foods. Even some sticky food can can clamp onto the braces and dislodge them.

So what hard foods should you avoid?

• Nuts and dry fruits

• Carrots, apples, beetroot, radish

• Popcorn

• Hard candy

• Hard crusts, sourdough bread

• Lollipops

• Ice cubes (you should avoid this even without braces!)

And what soft foods should you stay away from?

• Chewing gum

• Anything with caramel

• Chewy chocolates and candy

For a good balanced diet, incorporate whole fruits and vegetables that are already cooked or cut into pieces. Remember to stop yourself from taking the first bite with your front teeth, e.g., biting into an apple. Consciously stop chewing on the back of pens, pencils and even your nails!