Nutrition and Oral Health

We know how important it is for all our patients to follow a program of good oral care. This can greatly contribute to overall nutrition and general well being. You will be able to chew more easily, digest food better, and enjoy a wide variety of nutritious foods with a proper bite.

A normal diet can be followed during orthodontic treatment; however, avoid the following:

- Dark cola drinks (Coke and Pepsi) These drinks have a low pH of 2.8 and - combined with sugar - you are drinking sugar-acid. - Chewing Gum - Bubble gum of any type. - Hard candy - Ice - Nuts, popcorn - Hard breads (pizza crusts, French bread etc.) - Excessive sweets - especially when you cannot brush your teeth. The food begins to damage your teeth immediately. - Biting any hard objects pens, pencils., or football mouth guards. Any hard, sticky, gooey, or crunchy foods. - Biting apples or corn on the cob (Makkai) with the front teeth. If you must eat harder foods such as apples, cut them into smaller bite size pieces and place them on your back teeth.

By practicing daily oral hygiene at home, eating nutritious meals, and making regular dental visits, you will be insured of good oral health.

Not only is your diet important to your general health, it is also very important to your dental health. Eating a balanced diet can help promote healthy teeth and gums. Great care must be taken at an early age to provide proper diet and oral hygiene especially to those with developing teeth to help prevent dental problems in later years.