Eating Habits and Orthodontics

Braces are delicate and easily damaged, so what you eat becomes especially important in caring for your braces. Damaged appliances are probably the biggest nuisance in orthodontic treatment for both the doctor and the patient. Damaged appliances always mean extra appointments, inconvenience and extended treatment time. Even though accidents do happen, almost every loose band or broken wire is generally due to patient carelessness. To avoid this we advice you to follow the following rules faithfully:

Avoid Eating:

• Hard Foods
• Sticky Foods
• Foods High In Sugar Content

FOODS THAT ARE APPEALING TO YOU MAY BE DANGEROUS TO YOUR APPLIANCES

HARD FOODS such as Hard candy, Popcorn, Pizza Crust (the outer hard edge), Nuts, peanut brittle, Ice cubes (not, even if you are careful),, Corn- onthecob, Corn chips, crisp tacos should be avoided. These can damage or break parts of your braces by bending wires, loosening cement under the bands or breaking the brackets and tubes which are attached.

STICKY FOOD such as Caramels, Taffy, Chewing Gum, vubble Gum, gum drops should be avoided. These can get caught in braces and damage appliances by bending wires and pulling cement loose.

FOODS HIGH IN SUGAR CONTENT such as sweets, cake or pie should be avoided. However, if you do eat sometimes, brush your teeth immediately. If brushing is not possible at that time, then rinse your mouth with clear water after eating.

Here are some suggestions:

You may eat:

• Apples (cut into small wedges; don’t bite into the full apple)
• Carrot sticks (if you cut into carrot curls that are thin)
• French bread Hard (if you take small pieces and are verycareful)

Bad habits like chewing on Pens or pencils nail biting, nervous picking at your wires, also break appliances. Break bad habits before they break your appliances. When your appliance is broken, be sure to call for an appointment immediatelybecause broken appliances don’t correct teeth.

It is important to eat a healthy, well balanced diet includingplenty of fruits and vegetables. Even if some foods are hard and crunchy- an apple for instance- you can cut them into small pieces and eat. Also remember, unless you can brush immediately afterwards, sugary foods should be avoided An Orthodontic patient who is careful can probably eat almost any food and do not damage to his or her braces. However, the above mentioned foods may cause trouble, as many other foods.

Use common sense or to be safe, ask your orthodontist if you are in doubt, ask us about some food you enjoy eating. But the above mentioned foods do cause trouble, so, when in doubt, remember:

NOTHING HARD - NOTHING STICKY - NOTHING CRUNCHY NOTHING VERY SWEET.

Preventing problems with your Braces

Orthodontists receive an additional two to three years of specialized education beyond dental school to learn the proper way to align and straighten teeth. Only those who successfully complete this formal education may call themselves “orthodontists,” and only orthodontists can be members of the American Association of Orthodontists.

If you have any questions or concerns throughout your treatment or in the future, please consult your orthodontist.