Although some patients are able to eat or drink almost anything while in braces and have no ill effects, there are certain dietary habits that are known to cause breakage of orthodontic appliances as well as increase the risk of dental disease. Our aim is to achieve the treatment goals with as few disturbances to appliances as possible and to minimize the side effects of poor diet choices. Remember, teeth move best in a healthy environment. A well-balanced diet is critical to good treatment results.
Potential harm to your teeth and gums
Foods and drinks, which your dentist has suggested may cause dental cavities, should be restricted while wearing braces. Sticky foods are to be avoided because of the increased risk of dental decay and appliance breakage. If foods or drinks high in sugar are to be consumed, we advise having them with regular meals or at one given time of the day. Please make sure that careful brushing and rinsing take place immediately afterward. Between-meal snacks should be limited to foods without refined sugar and should be followed by brushing or vigorously rinsing if a tooth brush is not available.
Potential harm to your braces
Braces are attached to your teeth with an adhesive that will normally withstand the forces of eating. However, braces can be dislodged and wires bent or broken while eating certain foods.
The following foods can be particularly harmful to your teeth, gums and/or appliances while wearing braces. All of these things prolong treatment time.
AVOID
-Ice - no crunching
-Popcorn
-Peanuts
-Corn on the cob
-Hard candy
-Whole carrots and apples
-Caramels
-Gums - sugarless is OK
-Candy bars
-Taffy
-Skittles
-Any gooey candy
Remember, if you have any questions about dietary restrictions or good food choices, please ask!
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