Dietary advice for patients with orthodontic appliances
The brace is reasonably strong, but it can be broken by hard, sticky and chewy foods. These foods must be avoided.
It is particularly important to take extra care of your teeth during orthodontic treatment. This is because plaque (a white filmy substance which causes tooth decay and gum disease) gathers around the edges of orthodontic appliances. It must be brushed away several times a day.
Plaque is a sticky layer of bacteria which live on your teeth and gums. Sugar, present in food and drink, reacts with plaque to produce acids, which cause tooth decay and gum disease. Acid is found naturally in fruit and fruit juices, and is also of concern as it may cause erosion of the tooth surface.
Sugar turns into acid in the mouth, and the acids will last up to three and a half hours before the body an eliminate them. It is during this period that dental decay occurs.
If frequent snacks are eaten between meals, teeth are more at risk.
Any pre-packed foods that are purchased frequently contain sugar under another name. Any ingredient ending in ‘ose’ is sugar by another name and must be avoided. These include glucose, sucrose, fructose and lactose.
Therefore, in order to reduce tooth decay and gum problems, the following points should always be observed:
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Teeth should be brushed after every meal including snacks.
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Snacks and drinks which contain sugar should be avoided – especially between meals.
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Acidic and fizzy drinks should be avoided – especially between meals.
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Use a fluoride mouth rinse once a day last thing at night, after you have brushed your teeth. These rinses can be obtained from a chemist, or from reception.
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