The risk of gum issues and tooth decay is significantly higher when a person is wearing braces, which makes it incredibly important to have routine dental cleanings while undergoing orthodontic treatment. This helps to remove plaque, tartar deposits, and stains on teeth around the brackets.
There is likely to be some plaque remaining after brushing and over a period of time that plaque can cause inflammation of the gums (gingivitis). Gingivitis and early tooth decay can be reversed by taking extra care with your cleaning as well as your diet. Untreated, both of these issues and lead to bigger problems and have lifelong effects.
It is crucial to continue regular dental checkups (with your dentist) while having orthodontic treatment. This ensures any small problems do not become big ones.
There are certain foods that you should steer clear of when undergoing orthodontic treatment as they can loosen, break, or bend the wires and bands of your braces. The following is a list of what not to eat during your orthodontic treatment:
- Hard foods including nuts and hard biscuits
- Apples and carrots should be grated or chopped into small pieces
- Popcorn – especially if all the kernels don’t pop
- Sticky foods including caramels, toffees, fruit bars, etc.
- NO CHEWING GUM
- Meat from the bone including chicken wings, ribs, etc.
It is important to remember that just because nothing happened the last time you ate toffees or something hard, wires can bend. A bent wire will not get you a straight smile, rather it is weak and can break easily the next time you eat a piece of soft, chewy bread.
Damaged braces mean extra appointments which can lead to extended treatment time. If you break a bracket or a wire, it is imperative that you make an appointment with your orthodontist immediately. If you have any questions about dental hygiene during your orthodontic treatment, please call our office at (610) 489-5555
