Nutrition and Braces

Dr. Ralph Callender, Orthodontist

The purpose of this topic is to educate patients on how their diets effect how the braces move their teeth. When the doctor places braces on the teeth, the gentle pressures stimulate biochemical changes in the bones which anchor the roots of the teeth. Eating a diet that maximizes the health of your bones will improve your body’s ability to align the teeth.

Many of the nutrients and food components we consume as part of a Westernized diet can potentially have a positive or negative impact on bone health. Diets rich in calcium, Vitamin D, magnesium, and potassium improve bone health. The best source of Vitamin D is maintain adequate time outdoors in the sunlight for sun stimulates your body to produce its own Vitamin D.

Maintaining a balanced healthy diet, drinking plenty of water, and getting proper rest keeps your body in good health and will also aid your body’s response to orthodontic treatment.

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