Our Blog

‘What can I eat?’ Orthodontists often hear this common question from people who just got braces.

Fortunately, there are more things that you can eat than things that you can’t eat. Here are some of the foods you should avoid and what you can eat instead.

1. Corn on the Cob

Imagine biting into a hard piece of corn on the cob. As you imagine this scenario, you can see how quickly corn on the cob could damage your braces. The act of biting it could break your wires or your brackets.

What to eat instead: Try cutting the corn off the cob with a sharp knife and eating the corn pieces with a fork. You’ll still get the fresh taste from corn on the cob without risking broken braces.

2. Hard and Chewy Candy

Like corn on the cob, hard candy is difficult to chew and can damage your braces.  Candies to avoid include:

• Lollies
• Liquorice
• Nougats
• Chewy candy bars
• Taffy

Some of these treats, like taffy, can get stuck around and under your brackets. It can be difficult to remove this candy residue, even with brushing and flossing.

What to eat instead: Eat chocolate or candy that dissolves in your mouth and doesn’t require chewing.

3. Popcorn

Before you got braces, you bought a big bowl of popcorn at the movie theatre. Now that you have braces, those little pieces of popcorn could get stuck under your brackets. Plus, biting down on popcorn seeds could ruin your brackets.

What to eat instead: Try hulless popcorn, a type of popcorn with a smaller kernel. It is more tender and easier to chew. Or, pick softer snacks like ice cream.

4. Gum

Chewing gum puts a lot of pressure on your braces, causing the wire to bend and break. If the wire is bent, your braces can’t move your teeth into the right position. Your orthodontist will need to replace the wire. Bending the wire could prolong your time with braces.

What to eat instead: If you want to freshen your breath, suck on a breath mint instead. Just remember not to chew it.

5. Raw Vegetables

You can’t imagine someone telling you not to eat your veggies. But if you have braces, you shouldn’t eat raw vegetables like:

• Celery
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower

Continue to eat vegetables, because these healthy foods give your teeth the nutrients they need.

What to eat instead: You can still eat these vegetables—simply boil them until they’re soft.

6. Chewy Bread and Meat

You may find that some foods you eat on a regular basis suddenly become difficult to chew. These foods include:

• Baguettes
• Pizza crust
• Steak
• Bagels

You may be able to eat these foods by cutting them into tiny pieces and eating them slowly, bite by bite.

What to eat instead: Try incorporating softer foods into your diet, such as mashed potatoes, pasta and soup.

Take Care of Your Braces

Paying attention to what you do and don’t eat can protect your braces and your teeth. When you eat the correct foods, you won’t damage your braces and prolong your treatment.

If you can’t stand the thought of giving up these foods, consider Invisalign instead of traditional braces. Invisalign treatment involves a series of clear aligners. You can remove these aligners to eat, so you are free to eat what you normally would.

If you have questions about what you can and can’t eat, talk to an orthodontist. He or she will also provide you with additional advice to care for your teeth while you wear braces. Keep referring to our blog for more information about living a healthy life with braces.

If you are thinking about getting an orthodontic treatment, then you probably have one very important question. When do I need to see an orthodontist in Canberra? There are several ways that this question can be answered. Any time that you have a question about your bite and/or the way that your teeth are aligned, you should see one of the orthodontists in Canberra.

For example, if you are having problems speaking, chewing and biting because some of your teeth are misplaced, crowded or protruding, then you will need to consult with one of the leading Canberra orthodontists Orthoclinic. Orthodontists in Canberra such as Orthoclinic have the special training and skills needed to diagnose and treat the problem.

There are other conditions that warrant a trip to an orthodontist in Canberra. Teeth grinding, mouth breathing and inability to close your mouth comfortably are some of the conditions that may require orthodontic treatment. Additionally, Canberra orthodontists can correct tooth abnormalities that are caused by facial asymmetry or imbalance.

Children are advised to see an orthodontist by the age of seven. There are two reasons that children need to see an orthodontist. Orthodontist can determine whether a child has enough room in his or her mouth to accommodate the permanent teeth. It is also a lot easier to correct tooth problems early.

Children who receive orthodontic care early may require shorter treatment times. Keep in mind that just because a child receives an examination from an orthodontist does not mean that he or she will receive treatment right away. In fact, the vast majority of children do not receive orthodontic treatment until they are at least nine years-old.

It is important to note that orthodontic care is not just for children. More and more adults are choosing to get orthodontic treatment. Many adults who receive orthodontic care feel self-conscious about their smile. Orthodontic treatment can improve one’s smile, which can increase one’s confidence.

Well-aligned teeth not only improve appearance, but they can also improve oral health. It is easier to clean the teeth when they are lined up properly. This can reduce one’s chances of developing gum disease and cavities.

Anyone can benefit from orthodontic treatment, regardless of his or her age. Non-compliance is one of the things that reduces the effectiveness of orthodontic treatment, but this usually is not a problem in adults. There are also many types of braces that one can choose from, including lingual braces, ceramic braces and clear aligners.

Contact Orthoclinic today to book an appointment with an orthodontist in Canberra.

If you want to straighten your teeth but you’re skeptical about having traditional braces, an Invisalign treatment with Orthoclinic in Canberra may be the solution. Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that uses clear aligners to straighten teeth. This method is used for overcrowding, gap filling and various bite corrections. It’s available to adults of all ages, but there is a special version of the product for teenagers as well.

Before you visit an orthodontist offering Invisalign in Canberra, consider your personal needs. Some people aren’t ideal candidates for this type of treatment, so discuss all your expectations with the dental practitioner upfront. Once you decide Invisalign is right for you, your Canberra orthodontist will create moulds of your teeth. The moulds will be converted to digital models, and a customized treatment plan will be determined based on the images.

You will replace your aligners every two weeks, which allows your teeth to shift gradually until they are in their final positions. Each aligner will fit precisely and comfortably. The length of time it takes to make corrections varies from person to person and depends on how complex the problem is. If your case isn’t too severe, you may need to wear the Invisalign appliance for six months to a year.

The Invisalign Teen appliance works the same as the original, but it is designed specifically for teenagers. Extra features have been added that focus on the active lifestyle of the younger generation. This includes blue indicators on each aligner that fade with wear. The teen aligners are designed to fit the unique structure of a young person’s smile as well.

One of the main benefits to using the Invisalign system is that the aligners are extremely comfortable. There are no metal wires or brackets to cause irritation. Because the aligners can be removed, it’s easy to stick to a daily oral hygiene regimen. Another advantage to choosing this product over the conventional alternative is that the aligners are practically invisible and inconspicuous.

Once you meet with Orthoclinic offering Invisalign in Canberra, you can begin the journey toward a healthier and more beautiful smile.

Contact Orthoclinic today to book an appointment and discuss the possibility of an Invisalign treatment.