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Sugar and Your Orthodontic Treatment

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Transforming Smiles with Dr. Palmer: Conquer Orthodontic Care with iTero Digital Impressions

Transforming Smiles with Dr. Palmer: Conquer Orthodontic Care with iTero Digital Impressions

February 3rd, 2025 3 minute read

Transforming Smiles with Dentofacial Orthopedics: Why Dr. Michelle Palmer is Boynton Beach's Best

Transforming Smiles with Dentofacial Orthopedics: Why Dr. Michelle Palmer is Boynton Beach's Best

January 4th, 2025 4 minute read

Dr. Michelle Palmer: The Best-Kept Secret in Surgical Orthodontics

Dr. Michelle Palmer: The Best-Kept Secret in Surgical Orthodontics

December 5th, 2024 3 minute read

Unleash Your Best Smile with the Top Expert in Braces: Dr. Michelle Palmer in Boynton Beach, FL

Unleash Your Best Smile with the Top Expert in Braces: Dr. Michelle Palmer in Boynton Beach, FL

November 5th, 2024 3 minute read

Unveiling the Magic Touch: Dr. Michelle Palmer, the Best Oral Surgeon in Boynton Beach

Unveiling the Magic Touch: Dr. Michelle Palmer, the Best Oral Surgeon in Boynton Beach

October 6th, 2024 3 minute read

Leveraging High-Tech for Show-Stopping Smiles: Your Best Choice for Lightforce 3D Printed Brackets in Boynton Beach, FL

Leveraging High-Tech for Show-Stopping Smiles: Your Best Choice for Lightforce 3D Printed Brackets in Boynton Beach, FL

September 6th, 2024 3 minute read

Experience Reinvented: Your Journey to Uninterrupted Sleep with Dr. Michelle Palmer

Experience Reinvented: Your Journey to Uninterrupted Sleep with Dr. Michelle Palmer

August 7th, 2024 3 minute read

Transform Your Smile with Dr. Michelle Palmer: The Master of Palatal Expanders in Boynton Beach!

Transform Your Smile with Dr. Michelle Palmer: The Master of Palatal Expanders in Boynton Beach!

July 8th, 2024 4 minute read

Forsus Treatment: Why Dr. Michelle Palmer is Your Best Choice in Boynton BeachFL

Forsus Treatment: Why Dr. Michelle Palmer is Your Best Choice in Boynton BeachFL

June 8th, 2024 4 minute read

Experience Cutting-Edge Orthodontics with Dr. Michelle Palmer and the iTero Digital Impression System

Experience Cutting-Edge Orthodontics with Dr. Michelle Palmer and the iTero Digital Impression System

May 9th, 2024 4 minute read

One word no one likes to hear is “cavity!”

For those patients of ours wearing braces, hearing that word is especially problematic, considering that delaying any dental work may result in delaying treatment time.

We often blame candy as the culprit behind tooth decay, but other foods and drinks that kids consume can be just as harmful to their teeth, and can lead to cavities and tooth decay. Keeping your teeth or your child’s teeth from decay during treatment starts with a proper diet, and today, our team at Hier & Palmer Orthodontics will explain the negative effects that candy and other treats, including peanut butter, raisins, fruit juice, and chewy fruit snacks, have on your child’s teeth as he or she undergoes orthodontic treatment. Keep in mind that half of your child’s sugar intake may be coming from beverages that he or she drinks. A major offender is soda, but be mindful of fruit juices as well.

While sugar is known to sit in your child’s teeth and in between and under brackets and wires after consumption, it is important to know sugar is not the only cavity-causing culprit. Carbohydrates, starches, acids, and any food that is chewy or sticks break down into sugars, and can promote tooth decay.

So, what are the alternatives?

Candy such as dark chocolate, sugar-free gum, or anything that contains xylitol, a sugar substitute, is not as harmful for your teeth as hard, chewy, or sticky sweets. Sugar-free gum or gum that contains xylitol are known to reduce levels of bacteria on teeth.

And if you’re still looking for something to snack on, we recommend cutting up easy-to-eat fruits and vegetables. You would also be surprised how much eating a banana or sipping on a glass of water helps you curb snack cravings.

If you’re one of those folks who just can’t stay away from sweets, we encourage you to brush your teeth immediately afterward and swish water in your mouth.

Whatever you eat, Drs. Lawrence Hier and Michelle Palmer and our team want you to remember to brush often, floss regularly, and visit your general dentist as your treatment progresses. If you have any questions about sugary foods or drinks, please give us a call or ask us during your next adjustment visit!