When receiving orthodontic treatment, the patient’s involvement is as important as the work of the dentist in ensuring the treatment’s success. Excellent oral hygiene is of course essential throughout orthodontic treatment. And, since food can get trapped in orthodontic appliances, certain foods should be avoided.
Two questions you should ask yourself before eating:
1. Is the food sticky? If so, don’t eat it.
2. Is the food hard? If so, it is best to cut it into small pieces before eating it. If this isn’t possible, don’t eat it.
Below is a list of foods to avoid during orthodontic treatment:
- Nuts (hazelnuts, pistachio nuts, almonds, etc.)
- Hard and soft candies (caramels, jawbreakers, etc.)
- Popcorn
- Chocolate
- Hard raw vegetables (carrots, potatoes, radishes, etc.)
- Hard fruits (apples, pears, etc.)
- Stone fruits must be pitted (peaches, prunes, cherries, etc.)
- Chips
- Baguettes
- Certain cereals
- Gum
In addition to avoiding foods that can damage braces or cause them to detach, certain “bad” habits should be curbed during treatment. It is important to avoid opening objects with your teeth (plastic packaging), chewing pens and pencils, and biting your nails. Even without orthodontic treatment, these habits damage teeth.
Inadequate hygiene at home and missed appointments can result in cavities, decalcification, discoloured teeth, gingivitis, periodontal disease, etc. By eating foods that should be avoided, you risk damaging the appliance and prolonging treatment.
It is very important that you follow the advice of the professionals at Lapointe Dental Centres, and see them for regular check-ups.
