Foods to Avoid During Orthodontic Treatment

Eating proper foods and minimizing sugar intake are essential during orthodontic treatment.  Your braces are precise appliances that can be damaged by eating hard foods.  Some soft and sticky foods can cause tooth decay and loosen or dislodge your braces.

HARD FOODS TO AVOID INCLUDE:

• Hard Candy
• Corn Chips
• Popcorn
• Jerky
• Ice
• Nuts
• Pizza Crust
• Corn on the Cob
• Jolly Ranchers

SOFT FOODS TO AVOID INCLUDE:

• Bubble Gum
• Gum
• Starbursts
• Sugar Daddies
• Tootsie Rolls
• Gummy Bears
• Caramels
• Taffy
• Other chewy candies

Use common sense when choosing food to put in your mouth and avoid chewing on hard objects such as pens and pencils.

When is the Best Time to Begin Orthodontic Treatment?

Orthodontic treatment can be started on certain types of tooth problems before all permanent teeth have erupted.

The advantages of early treatment include:

1.  Enhance self-esteem - "Straight teeth" at an earlier age
2.  Allowing for treatment at an age where cooperation is
     more predictable = better results, which may not be
     attainable with later intervention
3.  More stable, long-term results due to earlier correction of
     skeletal imbalances
4.  Reduce permanent tooth extractions
5.  Reduce treatment time in full braces (eliminates teenagers
     needing braces for 2+ years)
6.  Reduce or eliminate decalcification and root resorption
7.  Reduce need for jaw surgery
8.  Prevent fractures (incisors)

*The American Association of Orthodontics recommends initial evaluation at 7 years of age or at the initial stages of permanent incisor eruption. 

Click here for more information regarding early orthodontic treatment.