[Click! Health] If You Are Undergoing Orthodontic Treatment... Avoid This Above All

Foods High in Carbonation and Sugar Increase Cavities
Bone-Healthy Foods? Minimal Impact on Orthodontics
Be Careful with Sticky Foods Like Tteok, Jelly, and Caramel

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] If you are undergoing orthodontic treatment, the most concerning aspect is food. You might worry whether hard foods could dislodge the orthodontic appliances or if sticky jelly might negatively affect the devices. Food particles stuck between teeth can also increase discomfort. It is important to understand which foods to avoid during orthodontic treatment and consume them carefully.

Carbonated and Sugary Foods Increase Risk of Cavities

First, you need to know what type of orthodontic appliance you are currently wearing. Orthodontic appliances are broadly divided into removable (functional) appliances and fixed appliances. Removable appliances can be taken out during meals, so the impact of food is minimal.

However, for removable clear aligners that cover the entire teeth, the natural cleaning action of oral muscles such as the tongue and cheeks is hindered, leaving food residues on the appliance. If these residues are acidic, they can cause corrosion due to the acid-sensitive structure of teeth, and if they contain a lot of sugar, they can easily cause tooth decay.

Orthodontics. [Image source=Getty Images]

Therefore, when wearing clear aligners, it is best to avoid acidic substances like carbonated drinks. Fixed appliances, such as brackets which are commonly known orthodontic devices, also significantly increase the risk of cavities, so it is advisable to avoid foods high in carbonation and sugar.

On the other hand, although foods good for bones might be thought to help with orthodontics, they have little effect. Professor Kang Yoon-gu of the Department of Orthodontics at Kangdong Kyung Hee University Dental Hospital explained, "Unless there is a specific nutritional deficiency or malnutrition, the foods consumed have very minimal impact on orthodontic treatment."

Avoid Hard and Sticky Foods as Much as Possible

Fixed appliances require eating and brushing with the device in place. Therefore, the appliance can be mechanically damaged or deformed by food. Representative foods to avoid include rice cakes (tteok), malt syrup candy (yeot), chewing gum, caramel, and jelly. These can stick to the appliance, causing deformation or detachment. Very hard foods should also be eaten cautiously, as biting with strong force can deform or dislodge the orthodontic device. Professor Kang warned, "There have been cases where appliances fell off while eating diced radish kimchi (kkakdugi), and orthodontic wires bent while eating nuts, so caution is necessary."

Kang Yoon-gu, Professor of Orthodontics, Gangdong Kyung Hee University Dental Hospital.

Food that can get stuck between the gums also requires attention. This includes nuts like almonds, crackers, and tender meats. When food gets trapped between the appliance and gums, it is difficult to remove and can cause inflammation and severe swelling if tightly lodged. Fibrous and long foods such as leafy vegetables can get caught on orthodontic wires, making it impossible to eat or spit them out, so it is better to cut them into small pieces before eating.

Professor Kang said, "If you eat carefully and maintain thorough oral hygiene after eating, there are no foods that must be absolutely avoided even with orthodontic appliances," but added, "However, to ensure 100% effectiveness of the appliance without detachment or deformation during the long orthodontic treatment period, it is better to be cautious."