Patients with braces can eat and drink a wide variety during treatment. However, there are some eating habits that can cause damage to orthodontic appliances and braces, possibly increasing the risk of additional dental problems. At Kammerman Orthodontics, our aim is to help our patients reach the treatment goals with as few disturbances due to appliance breakage as possible, and to minimize the side effects of poor food choices and poor oral hygiene. Remember, teeth move their best in a healthy environment and in individuals with excellent overall dental heath. Patient cooperation is key to successful orthodontics.

What foods should I avoid?

Food and drink your dentist has suggested may cause dental decay, such as candy and soda pop, should be restricted while wearing braces. Sticky foods like chewing gum and taffy are to be avoided because of the increased risk of dental decay and appliance breakage. These foods stick to your braces and remain on your teeth for long periods of time. If you are going to consume foods or beverages high in sugar content, Dr. Kammerman recommends having them with regular meals or at one given time of day. Snacks should be confined to foods without refined sugar Carefully brushing your teeth or rinsing your mouth after eating will keep braces clean and in good condition.

As we’ve mentioned, wearing braces limits the foods that you are permitted to eat. Eating the wrong foods can bend and distort wires causing treatment delays and extra visits for repairs. In general hard, brittle, crunchy and sticky foods should NOT be eaten during orthodontic treatment. Hard crunchy foods can bend and break the braces and wires, while sticky foods may loosen them. Certain foods may be eaten if they are prepared in a special way. Whole fruits and vegetables or any raw foods such as apples, celery and carrots should be sliced and eaten carefully. Hard crusty breads should be broken and eaten in small pieces. Corn may be eaten if sliced off the cob.

Do not suck on lemons or limes (citric acid in juice can dissolve tooth enamel). Do not suck or chew ice cubes. Chewing ice cubes can be very destructive to your appliances and teeth. Keep fingernails, pencils and other objects out of your mouth. Do not put anything in your mouth that may tend to bend, break, pry, pull or knock off the braces. Popcorn can cause harm in several ways. The husks from the popcorn can become lodged beneath the braces and cause irritation of the gum tissue. Unpopped kernels can shear or break off brackets as well as bend or dislodge wires.

The following is a partial list of the foods you should avoid. You should also use your own best judgment while eating anything. No matter what you eat, please clean the teeth and gum tissue thoroughly after eating any food and especially before bedtime.

Here are some tips on the types of foods to avoid:

Hard Foods:

• Popcorn
• Nuts, peanut brittle
• Ice
• Hard candy
• Hard chips
• Candied apples
• Corn-on-the-cob

Sticky Foods:

• Gum - BIG no-no!
• Fruit Roll-ups
• Gummy bears
• Taffy and Caramels
• Starburst
• Bit-O-Honeys
• Skittles
• Milk Duds

Be careful with these foods:

• Carrots - grate or cut into tiny pieces
• Apples - cut into wedges to eat
• Hard French bread - tear into small pieces

Limit foods with a high sugar content

The acids produced by high sugar content foods can attack for twenty minutes or more each time you eat. So, the best time to eat carbohydrates or other sugary foods is during a meal. The mouth produces more saliva during a meal that, in turn, helps to neutralize acid production and rinse food from the mouth. If possible, brush immediately after eating. If it is not possible to do so, rinsing with clear water will help.

Other Orthodontic "No-No's":

• Lip biting
• Pushing your tongue against your teeth
• Chewing on pencils or pens
• Tearing things with your teeth
• Biting your fingernails

Dental Hygiene during Treatment

As you eat, your teeth, braces and appliances collect food. If food is left on teeth overnight, a thick plaque forms on the teeth and gums. Plaque causes bad-breath, tooth decay and gum disease (swollen, puffy, red, overgrown, or bleeding gums). Food and drink containing sugar can damage the tooth surfaces and gum tissue. Bleeding and swollen gums are a sure sign that plaque is not being properly removed. If your gums are swollen and inflamed, your teeth will not move as easily, you will experience more discomfort during your treatment and white spots or decay will form on the teeth under and around the braces and appliances. Here are some suggestions for ways to properly clean teeth, gums, braces and appliances:

Waterpik- Dr. Kammerman highly recommends using a Waterpik to loosen food and plaque before flossing and brushing. The Waterpik should be used on the lower water pressure settings so the gum tissue is not excessively irritated. Use the Waterpik in addition to brushing.

Dental Floss – Flossing takes a bit more time but is very effective in keeping plaque from building up between teeth. Floss at least once per day just before bedtime and use a floss threader if necessary.

Soft Bristled Toothbrush - Use your toothbrush after each meal and before bedtime. Having a travel and toothpaste in your purse, desk drawer or briefcase will allow you to brush after eating when not at home. Examine your teeth for food and plaque and thoroughly clean all surfaces of the gums, teeth and braces. Re-examine your teeth to make sure all visible food and plaque have been removed. Continue this procedure until your teeth, gums and braces are thoroughly clean. Extra care must be taken in the area between your gums and the braces. Concentrate on brushing your gums and the gum line as well as your teeth.

Electric Toothbrush - Although it is not absolutely necessary for good hygiene, an electric toothbrush may make brushing easier. It is highly recommended for those patients who have difficulty using a manual toothbrush.

A Few Tricks - If you watch t.v. on a regular basis, consider this: sit down in front of the t.v. with a toothbrush (no toothpaste) and massage the teeth and gums with the toothbrush bristles for about 30 minutes. This gives you plenty of time to do a good job, and makes t.v. time more productive. Brushing while listening to music or studying is also an option. You may want to use toothpaste to freshen your breath when finished, but don't use toothpaste during this 30 minutes. Dr. Kammerman wants you to avoid the "once over lightly" technique. You might even try using your left hand if you are right handed, and vice versa. The most important time to brush is just before going to bed. Take your time and do it right.

Mouth Rinses – It is strongly advised to rinse with a fluoride containing mouthwash after brushing before bedtime and with a germicidal mouthwash after brushing in the morning after breakfast. These two mouthwashes will help prevent bacteria from harming the tooth surface.

Regular Dental Checkups - Although you are having your braces checked regularly, it is very important to continue to see your family dentist at least every six months for a thorough exam and cleaning. If you experience difficulty with good oral hygiene, you my need to see your dentist more frequently.