Having an orthodontic treatment like braces means having to follow a diet throughout the entire process. Although annoying, the diet is crucial in maintaining the appliances in good shape as well as for keeping proper oral hygiene. Without an appropriate cleaning routine, bacteria can stay stuck between teeth and lead to tooth decay. This becomes much more of a problem when the patient continuously eats food that’s difficult to clean and, at the same time, is damaging to the orthodontics.
Just as a reminder, here are a few of the foods you should avoid. Sugary foods and beverages as they leave a tiny film that wraps around the teeth creating great opportunities for bacteria to develop.
Crunchy foods such as popcorn, corn from the cob, and crunchy fruits and vegetables can damage your orthodontics. Hard foods like taco shells, pretzels, and crackers are also off the table. Whenever your dentist gives you a diet or routine always try to stick to it. If you have questions about the diet or cleaning process throughout the treatment, don’t be afraid to call your orthodontist and ask them.
Best Places to Eat in El Cerrito
Everyone who has or has to wear braces and aligners knows all too well the many food restrictions that come with the treatment and how frustrating it can be at times. This problem can be especially annoying when eating out.
Although every restaurant has a lot of different plates to offer, the work of trying to decide on something appetizing and safe for your teeth can be exhausting. So here we are recommending to you some of the best restaurants in El Cerrito and surrounding areas, as well as a few dishes that should be safe to eat.
Romano’s Macaroni Grill
Open from 11 am to 9 pm (10 pm on Friday and Saturday). Romano’s Macaroni and Grill is a great place to eat if you’re looking for pasta. They have a ton of classic dishes plus an assortment of mixed land and sea plates. A few of the most appetizing and safe options for braces and retainers wearers are the classic lasagna, the tomato basil soup, and butternut tortellini. On top of that, they also have an option to create your own pasta, which means you’ll get to choose the ingredients you like the most while respecting your diet.
El Cerrito Mexican Restaurant & Grill
El Cerrito Mexican Restaurant & Grill, as the name implies, is a Mexican restaurant that offers everything from burritos to seafood to soups and salads as well as a variety of drinks. When considering drinks remember to stay away from anything containing sugar and if it’s your first week of braces also avoid very cold beverages. On the same note, don’t go for anything spicy or citrus if you are still getting accustomed to braces.
Dishes like the “Jumbo burrito” are great as long as they cut the meat into small pieces. “Huevos Rancheros” is also a safe and delicious option. The restaurant is open from 11 am to 10 pm Monday to Friday, 11:30 am to 10:00 pm Saturday, and 11:30 to 9:00 pm on Sunday.
IHOP
A classic and safe option for many people is IHOP. Fortunately for everyone, you can eat pancakes without fear of damaging your appliances. Mostly everything on the menu is okay to eat except for the burgers and crispy dishes, as they can damage the orthodontics and the sugary foods for the same reason explained earlier.
Cheeseboard Pizza
Cheeseboard Pizza is a vegetarian pizzeria that opens Wednesdays through Saturdays. They only serve one type of pizza and salad, which changes every day. They also have a variety of cookies, sodas, beers, and wine on their menu. Pizza is something that an orthodontic patient doesn’t have to worry about; as long as the crust is not too hard, everything should be fine. Although we do recommend staying away from the hard cookies and sodas. The salad will mostly depend on the day, don’t forget to stay away from nuts and croutons.
Orthodontic Emergencies
An orthodontic emergency compasses any problem that relates to your orthodontic appliance or treatment. All this means that most of the time, it’s not something life-threatening. If you are in a situation where your life may be in danger, call the emergency services immediately.
A few of the most common orthodontic emergencies are an out-of-place bracket and a loose wire. Luckily, these types of situations are bothersome rather than dangerous, so nothing more than discomfort and mouth sores should happen. If you can’t wait until your next appointment, here are some ways you can try to fix your orthodontic emergency.
If you have an orthodontic emergency, don’t forget to contact your orthodontist. We will be able to help with any situation and question you may have.
