Braces can make even simple tasks like brushing, flossing, and eating a challenge. While the results of braces will be worth it, some sacrifices should be made in the meantime to keep your gums healthy and mouth happy. One such sacrifice is avoiding some specific foods while you have your braces. Here are some specific food categories to avoid.
Sugary Foods
Sugary foods refer primarily to candy and other sweets. The primary reason to avoid sugary foods has to do with gum health. With brackets and wires filling your mouth, proper brushing and flossing is much more difficult. This means that even with vigilant cleaning, it is still more likely that spots may be missed or not cleaned as thoroughly. Avoiding sugary food helps to reduce the risk of developing cavities and other diseases associated with this.
Sticky, Crunchy, or Hard Foods
Sticky foods such as gum or caramel, crunchy food such as popcorn and chips, and hard food such as nuts or corn on the cob, can damage the braces themselves. Biting into these foods can cause damage to the brackets or even the wire of the braces. This can cause them to get bent, or even come loose, meaning an extra trip back to the orthodontist.
These foods can also irritate teeth that are already under a lot of stress from having force applied to them and are best avoided.
This may seem like a lot of things to avoid but fear not. Soon you will be back visiting your Surrey orthodontist office, having your braces removed in Vancouver, and enjoying a straight smile, and perfectly healthy gums and teeth.
Hello! I’m Dr. Kevin Lee, a certified orthodontic specialist at PacificWest Dental Group, proudly serving the vibrant communities of Vancouver and Surrey. My journey into orthodontics began back in high school. As a teenager wearing braces, I became fascinated by the intricate blend of art, engineering, and biology that defines this field. This early experience ignited a passion that has guided me throughout my career.
I pursued my academic journey at the University of British Columbia (UBC), where I earned a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry in 2006, followed by a Doctor of Dental Medicine in 2011. After a year-long residency at Montefiore Medical Center in New York, I returned to UBC to complete a combined Master of Science in Craniofacial Biology and a Diploma in Orthodontics in 2015. That same year, I achieved certification from both the Royal College of Dentists of Canada and the American Board of Orthodontics.
With over a decade of clinical experience, I remain deeply committed to staying at the forefront of orthodontic advancements. At PacificWest Dental Group, we prioritize personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s unique needs, ensuring comfort and care every step of the way. Our goal is to help you achieve the smile you’ve always dreamed of in a welcoming and supportive environment.
Outside the clinic, I enjoy engaging with our community and staying active. Whether it’s through local events or outdoor activities, I believe in building strong relationships both inside and outside the office. I look forward to meeting you and working together to create a beautiful, confident smile.
Services we provide:
-Invisalign
-Braces
-Lingual Braces
-Digital treatment planning
-TMJ and headpain treatment
-Laser Therapy
-Sleep Apnea Oral Appliance
-Dysport Cosmetic Injectables
