Last updated April 24, 2023
We want to make eating as enjoyable as possible during orthodontic treatment!
In this article, we will discuss recommended foods and precautions during orthodontic treatment.
Recommended diet during orthodontic treatment
During orthodontic treatment, eating may not be as easy as you would like due to the following reasonsFood choices may be limited to some extent.
- Pain when teeth move.
- Irritation or discomfort from upper and lower teeth colliding when chewing
- Food gets caught in orthodontic appliances or teeth
- Discoloration of orthodontic appliances
- When mouth ulcers form, they rub against the device or stain food, which is painful.
Therefore,The following food choices are recommended to avoid the pain of moving teeth and the inconvenience of eating with devices during orthodontic treatment.
- soft food
- Foods that are not easily caught in orthodontic appliances or teeth
- Foods that do not stick to orthodontic appliances or teeth
- Foods that are less likely to cause discoloration of orthodontic appliances
- Foods containing vitamins B2 and B6 to prevent mouth ulcers
soft food
During orthodontic treatment, some pain may occur because of mild inflammation of the bone and gums around the teeth as they move.
This is because the teeth become sensitive to the pressure applied when chewing food and the stimulation of the upper and lower teeth during the first two to three days after they begin to move,It is recommended to choose soft foods.
Because foods that are chewy or require biting off more than you can chew are hard to chew,This can amplify the pain of tooth movement.
In the case of wire braces, biting and eating things like apples or hard-baked crackers is not recommended because the device may come off or deform even after the pain of moving teeth is gone.
Key to choosing soft foods
- Choose soft foods like tofu.
- When it comes to meat, choose ground meat dishes like hamburgers instead of chunks of meat like steak.
- Choose rice dishes with high water content, such as doria or porridge.
Foods that are not easily caught in orthodontic appliances or teeth
With wire braces, it is difficult to brush teeth because foods with fibers or threads such as leafy greens or enoki mushrooms, or long, thin foods such as noodles, can easily get caught or tangled in the wires.
In the case of mouthpiece braces, depending on the movement of the teeth, there may be periods when there is a temporary gap between the teeth and fibers can easily become trapped, so if this is a concern, it is best to avoid foods that have fibers or threads.
None of this is a problem if you can brush your teeth slowly at home, though,If you are on the go and do not have enough time to brush your teeth, it is recommended that you choose foods that do not get caught in your orthodontic appliances or teeth.
Key to choosing foods that are less likely to get caught in orthodontic appliances or teeth
- Avoid fibrous foods like enoki, leafy greens
- Choose tender parts with few joints, such as filet mignon.
- Choose tender fish like salmon or scallops.
Foods that do not stick to orthodontic appliances or teeth
Sticky foods such as caramels and gum are,Not recommended because it sticks to orthodontic appliances and teeth and is difficult to remove.
In the case of mouthpiece braces, the mouthpiece is removed while eating, so there is no need to be concerned, but in the case of wire braces, the wires can be dislodged by sticky foods, so it is safe to avoid them.
Key to choosing foods that do not stick to orthodontic appliances or teeth
- Avoid caramels and gum.
- Cookies and chocolates are also prone to sticking to leftover melts, so be careful!
Foods that are less likely to cause discoloration of orthodontic appliances
Foods that tend to color such as kimchi, curry, red wine and tea are,May discolor rubber clasps for wire orthodontics and attachments for mouthpiece orthodonticsBe careful because of this.
Key to choosing foods that are less likely to cause discoloration of orthodontic appliances
- Choose a tea (buckwheat or barley tea) with less tannin, which causes coloration.
- Avoid dark pigmented foods such as curry, kimchi, meat sauce, and red wine
Foods containing vitamins B2 and B6 to prevent mouth ulcers
During orthodontic treatment, the device may rub against the mucous membranes of the mouth, causing mouth ulcers. Therefore, for the prevention of mouth ulcers and early recovery,Foods and supplements containing vitamins B2 and B6 are recommended.
Vitamins B2 and B6 protect the mucous membranes of the mouth against damage caused by orthodontic appliance irritation.
Foods containing vitamin B2
- (cow's) milk
- egg
- toasted seaweed
- dried wakame seaweed
- mushroom
- avocado (Persea americana)
- Natto etc.
Foods containing vitamin B6
- Red tuna
- skipjack tuna
- salmon
- chicken meat
- banana
- sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas)
- red bell pepper
- cheese
- Yogurt, etc.
Eating during orthodontic treatment
When eating food during orthodontic treatment, keep the following in mind
- Pay attention to food hardness and cooking methods when there is tooth moving pain.
- Avoid irritating foods when mouth ulcers are present.
- Remove mouthpieces, magnifying plates, etc. before eating.
- Brush your teeth after eating.
Pay attention to the hardness and size of foods when there is tooth moving pain.
Try to eat soft foods gradually until the pain of moving teeth subsides,Avoid irritating the teeth as much as possible.
If you feel particularly sore, pay attention to soups, potages, porridges, or risottos with softly simmered ingredients cut into cubes about 1 cm in size, and the ingredients are large enough that they do not need to be bitten off and are soft enough to be crushed with the tongue.
Avoid irritating foods when mouth ulcers are present.
During orthodontic treatment, the edges of the wire or mouthpiece may hit your cheeks or gums, causing mouth sores. When mouth sores are present,Foods with spices, strong flavors, or hot foods sink into the mouth sores and cause pain.Therefore, try to refrain from doing so.
Foods that aggravate mouth ulcers pain
- Foods containing spices
- kimchi
- Curry, etc.
- food with strong flavors (e.g. spicy, sweet, spicy sauce, etc.)
- okonomiyaki sauce
- Meat sauce, etc.
- hot food
- Hot soup
- Ramen noodles, etc.
Remove mouthpieces, magnifying plates, etc. before eating.
Orthodontic mouthpieces, removable magnifying and retentive appliances are,Be sure to remove it before eating.Eating with the device in place can cause deformity, damage, and injury to the mouth.
Brush your teeth after eating.
Whether wire or mouthpiece orthodontics,Brush your teeth basically after eating.Food debris left on the teeth can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, bad breath, and loss of esthetics of the device.
In the case of mouthpiece braces, if the mouthpiece is fitted while food or drink pigment remains on the teeth, the clear mouthpiece may discolor to yellow or brown. Brushing your teeth after eating will prevent discoloration of the mouthpiece, so take extra care.
When brushing is not possible, minimal care is provided with assistive devices and mouthwash.
Eat well while in braces!
During orthodontic treatment, several inconveniences can occur due to toothache and devices on the teeth. However, simply knowing what foods are easy to eat and how to prepare them for each situation, such as when you have a toothache or a mouth sore, can make eating during orthodontic treatment more comfortable and enjoyable.
Try to keep in mind the key points of food selection so that you can enjoy food while in braces.
If you have questions or concerns about food during orthodontic treatment, you can talk to everyone.365dentists open chat is useful!
In addition, you can find other useful information about your mouth on our website, so please come and visit us!
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Graduated from Nagasaki University School of Dentistry, ~2018 Kyushu Medical Center, 2018-present Working at a dental clinic in Tokyo
After completing clinical training, worked in cosmetic dentistry in Tokyo. Currently a dentist and dental writer.
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