Oral Care Throughout Orthodontic Treatment

More Care Needed During Orthodontics

Take a look in the mirror at your new braces. As you see, the brackets and wires have many small areas that can trap food and plaque. This means your risk of tooth decay and gum issues may be higher while you wear braces.

You should pay close attention to cleaning your teeth every day and watch your diet. Not keeping your teeth and brackets clean can cause permanent damage to your tooth enamel.

Some areas on the enamel surface may start to lose minerals (the early stage of tooth decay), resulting in white spots that are unsightly. You might also get inflamed, bleeding gums (gingivitis). Gingivitis and early tooth decay can be reversed with extra care in your cleaning and diet. If left untreated, they can develop into bigger problems that require treatment and last a lifetime. During your orthodontic treatment, it’s important to have regular check-ups with your family dentist to prevent small problems from becoming serious.

Tooth-Friendly Diet

Dental professionals are increasingly worried about acidic foods and drinks that can damage tooth enamel if eaten often or sipped over long periods.

The Lists below compare some common foods and drinks. While many high-acid foods are healthy for your body, low-acid foods are better for your teeth. Remember—during orthodontic treatment, it’s best to choose low-acid foods when you eat.

Less Tooth-Friendly | Foods & Drinks | High Acid

• Apples, Cherries, Oranges, Peaches, Pears, Plums, Pineapples, Raspberries

• Tomatoes, Pickles

• Soft drinks (regular & diet), sports drinks, fruit drinks

• Vinaigrette dressings, BBQ sauces, salsas

More Tooth-Friendly | Foods & Drinks | Low Acid

• Bananas, Mangoes, Melons

• Carrots, Cucumbers, Lettuce, Beets

• Milk, Water

• Meat, Poultry, Seafood, Eggs, Crackers, Soups, Pasta

Most of us know that sugary foods and drinks can lead to tooth decay. Starchy foods like potato chips can also stick to teeth for a long time and cause decay.

Soda is especially hard on teeth because it contains not only acidic flavorings but also 10–12 teaspoons of sugar, which increases your chances of cavities. Studies show that diet sodas are just as damaging as regular sodas at weakening tooth enamel.1

Saliva is your body’s natural defense against tooth decay. You need to give saliva time to wash away acids that form after eating and drinking. A good rule is to limit eating to 3 meals and 2 snacks daily. Feel free to drink plenty of water! Just note that bottled water might not contain fluoride.

Braces-Friendly Diet & Habits

Some foods can loosen, break, or bend wires and bands when you wear braces.

Avoid hard foods like nuts and hard cookies. Cut apples and carrots into small pieces before eating to reduce stress on your braces. Steer clear of sticky foods like caramels, toffees, muesli or fruit bars. No gum! No ice-chewing!

Habits like nail-biting, tongue thrusting, chewing pencils, or nervously picking at your wires can also damage braces. Be mindful of these and try to stop them. Damaged braces mean more visits, inconvenience, and longer treatment. If your braces break, schedule an appointment with your orthodontist right away. Broken braces aren’t fixing your teeth!

Care at home

When cleaning your mouth while you are wearing braces, you need to pay special attention not only to your teeth and gums, but also to the brackets and wires.