Dried Mangoes, a nutritious and delicious fruit, are a sweet treat well-known in tropical countries. It’s often eaten as a snack, in trail mixes, or as an ingredient in desserts. But with its sticky consistency, braces can make it irritating to eat.
However, for mango lovers, it’s easy to overlook this inconvenience. So, can you eat dried mango with braces? Let’s find out!
Can You Eat Dried Mango with Braces?
You should avoid eating dried mango when wearing braces since this candy can get very sticky once it becomes wet with saliva. Consequently, it can get stuck between your teeth and wires, causing your braces to bend or break.
Moreover, sticky foods, in general, can make it harder to clean your teeth properly and can easily contribute to plaque buildup. Plaque is a film of bacteria that forms on your teeth and gums, and it can cause tooth decay and gum disease if not removed properly.
So technically, eating dried mango with braces is possible, but it is not encouraged.
How to Clean Your Teeth with Braces?
If you can’t resist eating dried mango, clean your teeth thoroughly afterward. Here’s how:
- Take immediate action after eating the dried mango – if you wait long before cleaning your teeth can make the sticky residue harder to remove. Rinse your mouth with water to initially loosen the dried mango particles from your teeth. Mouthwash can also do the trick.
- Brush your teeth using a soft-bristled toothbrush – brush the front teeth with a soft-bristled or interdental brush and move on to the back. It will ideally take 2 minutes but don’t be afraid to brush for a longer time if necessary. Remember to be gentle when brushing since the bristles can loosen a bracket. You might think that using too much pressure can quickly remove the dried mango but it will only damage your braces in the process.
- Floss – use a floss threader to help you get rid of the remaining dried mango particles from hiding between the teeth or somewhere under the gum line. Don’t forget to scrape the sides of your teeth as well.
- Rinse again – if the dried mango is proving to be a tough opponent, rinse your mouth with water or a fluoride mouthwash once more.
- Ask your dentist – if you feel like there’s still something left and didn’t clean it properly, it’s best to ask your dentist or orthodontist. They can give you more professional tips on keeping your braces and teeth in perfect condition.
Conclusion
In short, eating dried mango is not recommended when you have braces since it can cause damage to your braces and contribute to the development of plaque.
It’s best to avoid it, but if you do succumb, make sure to take the necessary steps right after so you don’t end up with any sticky residue stuck between your braces or teeth. Be extra careful when brushing and flossing to prevent damaging your braces.
These preventive measures will ensure you can still enjoy this delicious treat without damaging your braces.
