Avoid These Foods During Orthodontic Treatment For A Perfect Smile

When undergoing orthodontic treatment, you will be provided guidelines on some foods to avoid. While you may be inclined to ignore this advice, some foods are notorious for causing problems with braces and aligners.

To prevent setbacks in the straightening process, let us look at some of the worst food culprits and why you should give them a skip.

Sticky and Chewy Foods

Snacks like candy, gum and dried fruit may not seem like trouble-makers, but their sticky nature can cause havoc with your braces. Their gummy properties make them most likely to stick fast to brackets and wires, which can be difficult to remove. This creates a perfect habitat for germs and bacteria to grow, causing their own set of problems. They are the leading cause of unplanned visits to the orthodontist!

Hard Foods

Nuts, hard candies, popcorn and ice are big no-nos when you have braces. They can cause bending and breakage of wires or brackets and, worse yet, cause a painful injury inside your mouth.

Sugary and Acidic Foods

This category does not just apply to those with orthodontic devices; it is relevant to everyone for general oral health. Sugary foods contribute to plaque build-up on teeth, braces and wires. These plaques contribute to the formation of tooth decay.

Acidic foods are associated with tooth enamel breakdown, resulting in sensitive teeth and, eventually, tooth cavities. Drinks with a high sugar content, like soda and fruit juices, should be avoided, or at least diluted, and consumption minimized.

Crunchy Foods

Crunchy food items such as taco shells, crisps and crusty breads are also hazardous. Not only are they difficult to chew, but the hard bits are prone to getting stuck in orthodontic devices and are difficult to remove without breakage. You will have to spend much more time brushing and flossing if you consume these foods.

Paying attention to the guidelines supplied by your orthodontist is the way to go. Following the rules will help you safeguard the integrity of your orthodontic devices and prevent delays in getting that perfect smile you seek.

For excellent advice on orthodontic treatments that work, along with clear guidelines on foods to include or avoid, contact the team at Dr. Kirk Bartlett Orthodontist today. We have locations in Victoria, Duncan and Sooke.