It’s important to pay close attention to your diet during treatment with braces. Hard and sticky foods can break or damage your braces, resulting in setbacks. It is also important to limit your sugar intake as it can get in and around your brackets and cause cavities.

Foods which should be avoided during treatment include:

• Sticky lollies
• Sugary drinks and snacks
• Crusty bread
• Meat on bones
• Large pieces of tough steak
• Whole apples
• Corn on the cob
• Raw carrots
• Ice cubes

When in doubt, cut harder meats, fruits, vegetables and sandwiches into bite-sized pieces to enjoy them. It is also important to avoid chewing pens or your nails (or opening things with your teeth) as this could damage or dislodge your braces and lengthen your treatment time.

• Use our recommended toothbrush and toothpaste - and use them regularly! Brush your teeth vigorously until they are spotlessly clean four times a day for at least three minutes each time.
• Keep your mouth clean. If you are unable to brush your teeth immediately after a meal, be sure to rinse with water until you can brush.
• Always be prepared. Carry a special travel toothbrush when you are away from home.
• Rinse thoroughly after brushing. Make sure you swish the water all around your mouth and teeth.
• Don’t forget to floss! It’s important to floss after meals to make sure your teeth and gums stay healthy during treatment.

Clear aligners such as Invisalign® and Spark™ are a fantastic advancement to orthodontics and allow patients to experience an almost-invisible treatment journey. However, just like braces, a solid care regime must be followed to ensure your treatment goes according to plan.

Here are some of our top tips on how to properly care for your aligners:

• Store your aligners. When removing your aligners for things like eating, you should always try to store them in their own protective case provided to you at the start of your treatment, rather than tissue paper.
• Give them a brush! It's good habit to clean your aligners with a soft toothbrush and some water each time you remove them; this will remove build-up and bacteria.
• Regular deep cleaning. We recommend using an aligner cleaning tablet every few days to keep your aligners looking and feeling fresh. Just pop a tablet into a glass of water with your aligners and let them soak for 20-30 minutes before gently brushing and rinsing with water.
• Use your chewies. These small, soft plastic tubes are a useful device that you chew on to close any air bubbles between your teeth and your clear aligners. Using these regularly will improve the fit of your aligners and ensure your treatment stays on schedule. Not sure how to properly chew your chewie? Scroll down for a helpful video!

Contact us today or ask us at your free consultation in Loganholme or Capalaba.