Maintaining a Braces-Friendly Diet

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Maintaining a Braces-Friendly Diet
Posted on 02/27/2017
This is the image for the news article titled Maintaining a Braces-Friendly Diet

 Group of Friends with Braces

 

Your orthodontic treatment is an investment in your new smile. Therefore, you naturally want to take care of your metal or ceramic braces to achieve the best treatment results. Dr. Kattner and his team at Kattner Orthodontics want you to obtain the perfect smile, so we encourage you to eat foods that are good for your teeth and gums and won’t damage your braces. If you do develop a common dental problem like tooth decay or damage your appliances it could prolong your orthodontic treatment time, which is something nobody wants.

Good Dietary Habits to Follow While Wearing Braces

Unless you’re wearing Invisalign removable aligners, you must be careful about what types of foods you eat, so you don’t loosen, break, or bend the wires and bands of your braces. You should steer clear of the following foods for the entire time you’re wearing metal or ceramic braces:

  • Hard foods like nuts and hard candy
  • Sticky foods like caramel or toffee
  • Chewy foods like pizza crust and hard-crusted bread rolls

There are also many foods that raise your risk for tooth decay such as starchy foods like chips that cling to your teeth for long periods, encouraging decay. Consuming too many candies, cookies, or other sugary foods can also raise your risk for tooth decay. Therefore, try to stay focused on limiting your consumption of these foods that can harm your teeth.

Avoid Acidic Foods

You should also avoid eating too many acidic foods that can damage the enamel on your teeth including:

  • Pineapples and cherries
  • Tomatoes and pickles
  • Sodas and fruit juices
  • Salsas and BBQ sauces

Healthy Foods to Enjoy

Below are a few healthy foods low in acid that can help you maintain good oral health while you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment.

  • Melons and bananas
  • Leafy greens including lettuce of all sorts
  • Milk, low fat yogurt, and cheeses of all types

Contact Your Gurnee and Waukegan, IL Orthodontist

 

Damaged braces mean extra appointments and potentially longer orthodontic treatment time. All of us at Kattner Orthodontics want you to have a pleasant orthodontic experience without any issues. If you have any questions about how to properly care for your teeth and braces, please contact us at our Waukegan office as we’re always more than happy to help!