Braces & summertime treats- temptation can lead to trouble!

By Timothy Johnson

Ahh, sweet summertime! The mouth-watering smells of caramel corn, cotton candy and fresh roasted peanuts waft through the air as you stroll along the boardwalk or the midway at the county fair. Saltwater taffy, candy apples and corn-on-the-cob tantalize at every turn. The temptations are real and so are the braces on your teeth.

While in orthodontic treatment, the rules for what you can and can’t eat don’t change with the seasons. Overall, people with braces should avoid hard, chewy, crunchy, and sticky foods. Avoiding foods you like may not be fun, but eating things that you’re not supposed to eat can cause broken wires or brackets. These cannot only be painful, but can actually prolong treatment. In other words, break the rules and you could be stuck with your braces for even longer.

Stay away from:

•    Caramel and gooey chocolate bars
•    Very sticky or chunky peanut butter
•    Hard candies
•    Nuts
•    Chewy candy, taffy, and gummy bears
•    Popcorn
•    Gum

Use caution when eating:

•    Chewy bread such as bagels – tear into small pieces
•    Chips – eat them carefully and one at a time
•    Corn on the cob – cut off the cob
•    Apples and carrots – cut into small pieces
•    Soda and sugary drinks – avoid these whenever possible, as drinking too much can cause tooth decay

If You Do Drink a Soft Drink, Here are Some Tips

• Drink soft drinks through a straw
• Have soft drinks with a meal
• Brush right away after drinking a soft drink; if you can’t brush right away, at least rinse with water
• Drink the soft drink quickly; avoid sipping over a long period of time – each sip renews the acid attack on teeth

Finally, don’t chew on any hard items such as ice, pens, pencils, or fingernails.

Avoiding favorite or tempting foods can be hard. But knowing what you can and can’t eat, and sticking with a good oral hygiene routine while in braces, will help you achieve a beautiful and healthy smile.

If you have any questions concerning your orthodontic treatment plan, please contact EJL Dental.