During Halloween children eat more candy than they do all year. Candy is very hard on teeth and braces and should be avoided or reduced to guarantee the best orthodontic results.
How Candy Can Harm Your Orthodontic Work
The brackets, bands, and attachments that make up your braces are sensitive to force. There are different types of candy and many forms are hard and/or sticky. Hard candies can get stuck in parts of braces or cause damage to the teeth because of the force that is required to chew and break down the candy. At Wright Orthodontics it is quite common to repair braces that have chipped or popped off due to hard or sticky foods (most commonly candies).
What to Do to Maintain the Health of Your Teeth
Your braces are an investment, and you want to give them the best possible chance of improving your smile. Follow these tips to help maintain the health of your teeth:
- Brush and floss your teeth on a regular basis
- Avoid foods that could cause damage to your dental devices
- Schedule regular dental appointments (even after orthodontic care)
- Discuss with your orthodontist any concerns you have about treatment
It may be tough to avoid the foods you or your children love, but avoiding them will save you trouble in the long run and keep your teeth healthy and braces happy.
Wright Orthodontics encourages our patients in both Atlanta and Marietta, GA to avoid or limit candy consumption with braces to achieve the best results possible and maintain dental health. Feel free to contact us with any questions or to schedule a checkup.
