Hygiene and Food: Good Advice

Hygiene and Diet: Rules and Advice for Wearers of Orthodontic Appliances

At Dr. David Benguira, we know that following orthodontic treatment requires adjustments in your eating and dental hygiene habits. In order to ensure the success of the treatment and maintain good oral health, it is crucial to follow certain rules. This guide will provide you with practical advice on foods to avoid and best practices to maintain optimal dental hygiene throughout your orthodontic treatment.

Food: Allowed and Forbidden Foods

When you wear braces, certain foods can be problematic because they can damage the components of the appliance or promote plaque buildup. To avoid these problems, ask yourself two questions before consuming a food:

Is it hard?
If the food is hard, it is essential to cut it into small pieces before eating it. If it is not possible to cut it (such as peanuts, hard bread crusts, or pits), it is best to avoid it altogether. Crunching hard foods can damage the wires and brackets of your appliance.

Is it sticky?
If the food is sticky, it is best to suck on it rather than chew it. If this is not possible (such as with dry sausage or hard candy), the food should be avoided. Sticky foods can get stuck in appliances and are difficult to clean, increasing the risk of cavities.

List of prohibited foods:
Nuts, hazelnuts, pistachios
Hard and soft candies (caramels, laughy taffy, etc.)
Popcorn
Chocolate squares (for addicts, let it melt)
Hard ice cream coming out of the freezer, ice cubes
Raw vegetables, apples, and pears (should be cut into small pieces)
Fruits with pits (pit cherries, peaches, apricots, olives, etc.)
Crusty baguette (don't eat the crust of the bread), chips, and overcooked fries
Chewing gum
Avoid chewing on pens
Oral hygiene rules

When you wear braces, maintaining good oral hygiene is essential to avoid complications. Braces and other orthodontic appliances can promote plaque buildup and make cleaning your teeth more difficult. However, with the right tools and proper brushing technique, it is possible to maintain a healthy mouth throughout treatment.

Orthodontics and dental hygiene

Orthodontic treatment requires regular monitoring, with visits to the practitioner every four to six weeks. These appointments allow patients to check the condition of the appliances and ensure that they are following dental hygiene recommendations correctly. Learning and mastering good brushing technique is essential. Patients who successfully control plaque during treatment often maintain these good habits after orthodontics are over, which is a significant benefit to their long-term oral health.

Tips for brushing

Choosing the right toothbrush
Brushing is the most effective way to mechanically remove food debris. It is recommended to start brushing with a damp brush, without toothpaste, to better remove debris, and then add toothpaste later. Whether you use an electric or manual toothbrush, the important thing is to choose the one that works best for you. An electric toothbrush may be more convenient for some, while a manual toothbrush has the advantage of being able to be used anywhere, especially after lunch.

Additional tools
For a more thorough cleaning, especially around brackets, you can use interdental brushes or a water flosser like the Waterpik, which helps clean under orthodontic wires and massage the gums. A plaque disclosing liquid is also a great tool. Available at the drugstore, this liquid colors plaque, making it easier to see and ensure that it is completely removed. Using the disclosing liquid once a week, before or after brushing, is a great way to check how effective your cleaning routine is.

Dr. David Benguira: Your specialist in St-Eustache

At Dr. David Benguira, we are committed to providing you with the best advice to maintain a proper diet and impeccable oral hygiene throughout your orthodontic treatment. By following these recommendations, you will not only protect your orthodontic appliance, but you will also ensure the success of your treatment. Located in St-Eustache, our clinic is ready to support you at every step of your orthodontic journey. Contact us for a free consultation and find out how we can help you achieve the smile of your dreams while maintaining a healthy mouth.