Braces – Sending me Shivers!!

Braces are a good thing & I know my daughter will benefit!  She just had her second pair put on last week!  I would share a photo of her in them, but she said “no” so I have to respect that right!?  Here is the best I can do LOL

However, getting braces comes with certain dietary restrictions, as certain foods can damage the braces or cause discomfort. This can lead to a situation where the person getting braces may feel like they are dieting.

As I was waiting for Mila to get her braces – post lecture on what foods to avoid – I couldn’t help but feel so grateful to no longer have a list of off limit foods!!  Food restriction is a common practice in dieting, where a person restricts certain foods or entire food groups from their diet in order to achieve a certain weight or health goal. While the goals of not eating certain foods due to braces and food restriction through dieting may differ, the psychological effects of both can be quite similar.

For instance, when a person has to avoid certain foods because of braces, it can create a sense of deprivation, just like in dieting. They may feel like they are missing out on their favorite foods or that they cannot enjoy their meals to the fullest. This can cause feelings of anxiety or even guilt when they do eat something that is off-limits, leading to a negative relationship with food.

Moreover, both situations can lead to a feeling of being judged or stigmatized. When a person has to avoid certain foods because of braces, they may feel like others are judging them for being too careful or that they are overreacting. Similarly, in dieting, a person may feel like they are being judged for their food choices or that they are not doing enough to achieve their goal. This can create a sense of shame, and it can be harmful to a person’s mental health.

Mindset Matters!

Therefore, it is important to approach the situation of not eating certain foods because of braces with a positive mindset. Rather than focusing on the foods they cannot eat, a person can focus on the foods that they can eat, and how those foods can contribute to their overall health and well-being. Additionally, it is essential to remember that this is a temporary situation, and once the braces are removed, they can enjoy all the foods they had to avoid during the treatment.

While not eating certain foods because of braces and food restriction through dieting may seem different on the surface, the psychological effects can be quite similar. It is important to approach both situations with a positive mindset and remember that it is essential to take care of both our physical and mental health.

My daughter in particular feels bad that she can’t have chips; a favorite indulgence her and I both share.  To make things easier, I will remind her of the benefits, keep other favorites she can have around and finally – remind her the set back is temporary!

Only Temporary

Unlike dieting, she doesn’t have to restrict her favorites forever!  When I was on weight watchers, calorie restrictions or whatever other diet that I was trying – I knew to keep the results I would have to diet forever.  Thankfully, I no longer feel like I have a life sentence of restricted foods.  And I am glad Mila doesn’t either.  She’ll get chips again someday, but this time with really straight teeth!