If you’re currently undergoing orthodontic treatment, or are considering starting soon, you should know that there are certain foods that you have to avoid with braces. These include crunchy foods that can damage brackets and foods that get stuck between brackets and wires, like popcorn. Another main concern is sugar – a threat to dental health for anyone who wears braces. Our orthodontist near Lancaster, PA, provides some more information here.
Dangers of Sugar
Sugar in any form is bad for oral health. It promotes the growth of bacteria that cause cavities and tooth decay. Additionally, these bacteria can get under your gums and cause gingivitis and periodontal disease. With braces, this is even more of a concern, since it can be difficult to remove sticky, sugary residue from wires and brackets.
Watch Out For Hard Candies
We know that candy should be avoided while undergoing braces treatment, whether it’s chewy, gooey, or sticky. However, it’s inevitable that you’ll want something sweet eventually. Keep in mind that eating hard foods, in general, puts excess pressure on your teeth and risks breaking your brackets and adding sugar to the mix only increases the amount of damage. For these reasons, hard candies can be especially bad, so it is best to avoid them altogether.
Avoiding Problems
It’s understandable that at some point, you will end up eating a sugary treat! Brush and floss as much as possible. Use a water flosser to thoroughly clean underneath wires and around brackets. If you eat anything sugary, make sure to brush your teeth immediately afterward in order to decrease the chance of developing cavities or other dental problems. Your teeth and gums will thank you!
