‍

What are some overall alternatives?

Soft chewy candies are known to be detrimental for braces as they can stick to them and damage them. A better alternative is to choose candies that are softer and that can melt in your mouth.

Make smoothies as an alternative to candy by means of fresh fruits and using your preferred ice creams. This will help cut down the amount of sugar you are having which may cause your brackets to loosen. Other than this you can brush your teeth every time after you have candy as well as floss.

‍
What is the danger of candy and sweets on braces?

The bacterium that is found in your mouth prospers on sugar. Whenever you have a sugary drink or food such as candy, the sugar that is left on your teeth and gums will increase, increasing the acidity in your mouth and deteriorating the enamel that shields your teeth. Consequently, a cavity will form.  Try to rinse your mouth with water alongside brushing your teeth to remove the acid and the leftover sugar from your mouth, making it a thriving environment for your teeth.

‍
How can sugar damage your teeth whilst you have braces on?

Sugar damages teeth regardless of whether you have braces or not. With braces on, it just becomes more difficult to keep your teeth clean as there are many nooks and crannies that the sugar can find its way into. This causes the bacteria to thrive easier in the mouth of someone who has braces. With braces you need to brush every portion of your mouth properly. This includes your wires, your brackets and the sides of each bracket so that the sugar does not stay there to wear down the enamel of the tooth.

‍
What are some sweet-tooth recipes that will look after your braces?

These recipes have been put together to help guarantee that the restrictions for food and braces is met yet it will not disturb your sweet tooth:

Honey Yogurt Cheese Cake

By Gina from London

Ingredients

• 100g amaretti biscuits (or ginger or digestive biscuits)
• 85g toasted, flaked almonds
• 85g butter, melted
• 250ml Greek yogurt
• 750g mascarpone
• 2 eggs
• zest 1 lemon
• zest 1 orange
• 250ml runny honey (orange blossom is particularly good)
• fresh fruit , to serve

‍
Method‍

• Heat the oven to 160 degrees Celsius /140 degrees Celsius fan
• Crush the biscuits and almonds inside a plastic food bag using a rolling pin.
• Mix with the butter, then press into the bottom of a deep, oval, 23cm dish (or something similar in size - a roasting tin, baking dish or cake tin will work).
• Bake for 10 minutes.
• Stir or mash together the yogurt and mascarpone, then whisk in the eggs, one at a time.
• Stir in the lemon and orange zests, then stir in most of the honey, reserving about 3 tbsp.
• Spread over the biscuit base, cover loosely with foil and cook for 1 hr.
• Remove the foil and cook for a further 15 minutes until lightly golden and the top is firm with just the slightest wobble in the middle.
• Leave to cool. Can be kept in the fridge for up to 2 days.
• To serve, drizzle over the remaining honey

‍

Quick Mango Fool

Sandra - Maple Cross

Preparation time 5 minutes

Serves 2-3

Ingredients‍

• 400g can mangoes (find one which is preserved in fruit juice not syrup)
• 142ml carton double cream
• 150g tub Greek yogurt
• Juice of half a lemon
• 8tbsp Carnation Condensed Milk

‍
Method‍

• Drain the mangoes, reserving the juice.
• Place in a food processor and blend with a few tablespoons of the juice to make a smooth puree.
• Whip the double cream until soft peaks form and then combine with the Greek yogurt and condensed milk.
• Swirl the mango puree and cream mixture into glasses and serve.

‍
‍
What can I do to make the adjustment to braces easier?

At Ocean Orthodontics we understand that getting braces can be difficult to manage. We want you to enjoy your food to its fullest and still have beautiful and healthy teeth. To get the advice of our qualified dentists call us on 0754434233.

‍