Nutritional guidance in orthodontics: aligning dietary requirements with treatment success—a review

A balanced diet is fundamental to maintaining energy, supporting growth, bolstering the immune system, and preventing chronic diseases. Orthodontic treatment, which involves the movement and modification of the craniofacial complex and teeth, creates a reciprocal relationship with diet. Nutrition impacts periodontal health, oral flora, immune response, and growth, while orthodontic therapy affects food intake, consistency, and quality. Despite the increased nutritional demands that orthodontic treatment imposes, particularly in adolescents undergoing rapid growth and developmental changes, nutrition has often been overlooked in orthodontic care. Most orthodontic patients, especially those with braces, are recommended to follow a softer diet due to sensitivity but are seldom given comprehensive dietary guidance. As a result, many adopt convenient but nutritionally deficient food habits. This paper emphasizes the necessity for orthodontists to provide detailed nutritional advice during treatment, highlighting the limited existing research on the topic and advocating for a greater focus on nutrition to support patient health and the success of orthodontic interventions.