Eating with Braces
Although patients are able to eat or drink many foods while
in orthodontic treatment, there are certain eating habits
that are known to cause breakage of orthodontic appliances
and braces as well as increasing the risk of dental
problems. Our aim is to allow our patients to achieve the
treatment goals with as few disturbances due to appliance
breakage as possible, and to minimize the side effects of
poor food choices and poor oral hygiene. Remember, teeth
move their best in a healthy environment and in individuals
with excellent overall dental heath. Patient cooperation is
key to successful orthodontics.
What foods should I avoid?
Food and drink your dentist
has suggested may cause dental decay should be restricted
while wearing braces. Sticky foods are to be avoided because
of the increased risk of dental decay and appliance
breakage. These foods stick to your braces and remain on
your teeth for long periods of time. If foods or drinks high
in sugar content are to be consumed, we advise having them
with regular meals or at one given time of day. Please make
sure that careful brushing and rinsing take place
immediately afterwards. Snacks should be confined to foods
without refined sugar and should be followed by brushing or
vigorous rinsing if a toothbrush is unavailable.
Wearing braces limits the foods that you are permitted to
eat. Improper foods can bend and distort wires causing
treatment delays and extra visits for repairs. In general
hard, brittle, crunchy and sticky foods should NOT be eaten
during orthodontic treatment. Hard crunchy foods can bend a
and break the braces and wires, while sticky foods may
loosen them. Certain foods may be eaten if they are prepared
in a special way. Whole fruits and vegetables or any raw
foods such as apples, celery and carrots should be sliced
and eaten carefully. Hard crusty breads should be broken and
eaten in small pieces. Corn may be eaten if sliced off the
cob.
Harmful Foods
Do not suck on lemons or limes (citric acid in juice can
dissolve tooth enamel) and especially do not suck or chew
ice cubes. Chewing ice cubes can be very destructive to your
appliances and teeth. Keep fingernails, pencils and other
objects out of your mouth. Do not put anything in your mouth
that may tend to end, break, pry, pull or knock off the
braces. Popcorn can cause harm in multiple ways. The husks
from the popcorn can become lodged beneath the braces and
cause irritation of the gum tissue. Unpopped kernels can
shear or break off brackets as well as bend or dislodge
wires.
The following is a list of only some of the foods you
should avoid as you should use your own good judgment while
eating anything. No matter what you eat, please clean the
teeth and gum tissue thoroughly after eating any food and
especially before bedtime.
Here are some tips on the types of foods to avoid:
Hard Foods: Popcorn Nuts, peanut brittle Ice Hard candy
Hard chips Candied apples Corn-on-the-cob
Sticky Foods: Gum - no way Fruit Roll-ups Gummy bears
Taffy and Caramels Starburst Bit-O-Honeys Skittles Milk Duds
etc.
Be careful with these foods: Carrots - grate or cut into
tiny pieces Apples - cut into wedges - don't bite Hard
French bread - tear into small pieces
Limit foods with a high sugar content The acids produced
by high sugar content foods can attack for twenty minutes or
more each time you eat. So, the best time to eat
carbohydrates or other sugary foods is during a meal. The
mouth produces more saliva during a meal which, in turn,
helps to neutralize acid production and rinse food from the
mouth. If possible, brush immediately after eating. If it is
not possible to do so, rinsing with clear water will help.
Other Orthodontic "No-Nos":
Lip biting
Pushing your tongue against your teeth
Chewing on pencils or pens
Tearing things with your teeth
Biting your fingernails
Dental Hygiene during Treatment
As you eat, your teeth,
braces and appliances collect food. If food is left on teeth
overnight, a thick plaque forms on the teeth and gums.
Plaque causes bad-breath, tooth decay and gum disease
(swollen, puffy, red, overgrown, or bleeding gums). Drinks
and foods containing sugar can damage the tooth surfaces and
gum tissue. Bleeding and swollen gums are a sure sign that
plaque is not being properly removed. If your gums are
swollen and inflamed your teeth will not move as easily, you
will experience more discomfort during your treatment and
white spots or decay will form on the teeth under and around
the braces and appliances. It is discouraging to work hard
to straighten teeth, only to finish and find decay or white
spots on the teeth. The following is essential for the
proper care of your teeth and gums:
Waterpik- We highly recommend the use of a Waterpik to
loosen food and plaque before flossing and brushing. The
Waterpik should be used on the lower water pressure settings
so the gum tissue is not excessively irritated. The use of a
Waterpik does not take the place of good toothbrushing.
Dental Floss - Although somewhat time-consuming, dental
floss should be used when wearing braces or appliances.
Floss at least once per day just before bedtime and use a
floss threader if necessary.
Soft Bristled Toothbrush - Use your toothbrush after each
meal and before bedtime. A travel brush carried in a purse
or placed in a locker is great for brushing after lunch.
Examine your teeth for food and plaque and thoroughly clean
all surfaces of the gums, teeth and braces. Re-examine your
teeth to make sure all visible food and plaque have been
removed. Repeat this step as often as needed to assure that
no visible plaque or food remains. Extra care must be taken
in the area between your gums and the braces. Concentrate on
brushing your gums and the gumline as well as your teeth.
Electric Toothbrush - Although it is not absolutely
necessary for good hygiene, an electric toothbrush may make
brushing easier.
A Few Tricks - Since most patients watch some TV, we have
found it to be effective to sit down in front of the TV
daily with a toothbrush without toothpaste, and massage the
teeth and gums with the toothbrush bristles for about 30
minutes. Thirty minutes gives you plenty of time to do a
good job, and makes TV time more productive. Brushing while
listening to music or studying is also acceptable. You may
want to use toothpaste to freshen your breath, but don't use
toothpaste during this 30 minutes. We want you to avoid the
"once over lightly" technique. To concentrate better, you
may use your left hand if you are right handed, and vice
versa. The most important time to brush is just before going
to bed. Take your time and do it right.
Regular Dental Checkups - Although you are having your
braces checked regularly, it is very important to continue
to see your family dentist at least every six months for a
thorough examination and cleaning of your teeth. If you
experience difficulty with good oral hygiene you my need to
see your dentist more frequently.
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