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You have enough to worry about when getting ready to go on a date, don’t let your braces add to your worries! While date night can be a nerve-wracking experience, above all else, it should be fun! Fortunately, your braces don’t have to be a source of worry. With a few simple tips you can flash your beautiful smile at your date as many times as you want to without being worried about leftovers being hidden in your brackets. Read on for some advice from Dr. Christopher Murphy at Southern Maine Orthodontics.

At a Nice Restaurant – Stick to Soft Foods

While mood lighting can help hide a lot of things, it can’t get rid of food in your teeth. So that you can smile with confidence all night long, stick to soft foods. Pasta, mashed potatoes, soups, and other softer options are easy to eat, without little bits that stick around in wires and brackets. Any crunchy fruits or veggies could prove difficult as well. Let’s just say corn should be a “no-go” whether you have braces or not! Also, any chewy bread or pizza should be cut up into small pieces before consuming.

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There’s a reason toothpastes will market themselves as having properties that will make your teeth whiter, because everyone wants a shiny, white smile. Unfortunately, things we enjoy such as coffee, tea, red wine, and even some sodas can stain your teeth and darken your smile. Thus, a whitening toothpaste is often not enough to keep your teeth shining bright. Luckily, there are some foods that whiten your teeth naturally. To learn more about what foods can naturally whiten your teeth, keep reading for some advice from Dr. Christopher Murphy at Southern Maine Orthodontics.

Fortunately, there are several foods you can find at your local grocery store that can help make your teeth whiter. Be sure to add these foods to your cart next time you’re at the store!

• Strawberries – They contain an enzyme called malic acid that may aid in the tooth whitening process.

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Seeing an orthodontist is a crucial part of maintaining your oral health and hygiene. Orthodontists are different from dentists in several ways. They have actually completed specialized training that allows them to perform certain treatments that a dentist cannot. In short, you need to see both a dentist and an orthodontist. To learn more about why you need an orthodontist, keep reading for some advice from Dr. Christopher Murphy at Southern Maine Orthodontics.

While a beautiful smile is the result of a good orthodontic treatment, there is a lot that goes into the process of getting there. Orthodontic treatment is an incredibly complex process that orthodontists have special training in. Treatment involves changes in jaw bones, facial bones, and soft tissue. After dental school, orthodontists must complete a two to three year residency in an accredited program to master the multi-faceted intricacies of orthodontics. This intensive training gives them the tools they need to create healthy, beautiful smiles.

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Your oral health is always extremely important, whether you’re in braces or not! If you’re looking for some simple ways to boost your oral health, you’re in luck. Keep reading for some daily habits that you can incorporate into your routine from Dr. Christopher Murphy at Southern Maine Orthodontics.

Some of the easiest ways to keep your oral health in tip-top shape are to do the simple things you have been told to do your whole life, like brushing your teeth. 

• Proper brushing is an essential part of dental hygiene. Make sure you are brushing your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes each time. Don’t forget to brush your tongue too – plaque can build up on the surface of your tongue as well as your teeth! Also, be sure to use a toothpaste with fluoride, which helps prevent tooth decay.
• Flossing is also very important. Make sure you are flossing thoroughly on both sides of the tooth. Aim to do this twice a day!

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While braces are not painful, your mouth is a very sensitive area. Thus, it is not uncommon to experience a little soreness after your braces have been tightened. However, what everyone feels is a little different! Most only feel a mild, achy pressure that will subside within a day or two. The longer you’re in braces, the quicker your discomfort will go away after each tightening. In the meantime, have no fear! These simple tips can help ease your discomfort from Dr. Christopher Murphy at Southern Maine Orthodontics.

Stick to Soft Foods

Soft foods like mashed potatoes and applesauce are great when you are experiencing any mouth discomfort. When you initially get your braces, soft foods are a great option for the first couple of days. Then, on each day you go in for a tightening it is smart to stick to a soft food diet.

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Wrapping up your orthodontic treatment is an exciting time! Your hard work is rewarded with a beautiful smile. However, the work doesn’t end here. It is crucial that you continue to take great care of your teeth in order to maintain your new smile. This includes wearing your retainer, which allows your smile to last a lifetime. Keep reading for some advice on retainers from Dr. Christopher Murphy at Southern Maine Orthodontics.

Retainers hold your teeth in their new positions while bone tissue rebuilds around them, stabilizing them. This process takes time, and it is important that you continue to wear your retainer after this process has been completed. Your bite can change over time as bone continues to break down and rebuild. Wearing your retainer will help preserve your smile throughout this process.

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