As one of about 500 people in Mildura with braces, the 16-year-old had a list of foods to stay away from until the braces were taken off last week.

“Now I can eat the food I want to eat, starting with a chocolate Picnic,” she said.

“My teeth look amazing to what they were like before I got braces.

“I got used to them after a couple of weeks.

“It was an experience having braces – I’m hoping I will only experience it once.”

Mildura’s Dr Allan Coveney is the only specialist orthodontist in north-west Victoria and said before he arrived in 1981 people could only see a travelling specialist once every six weeks to have braces fitted.

He said more adults were having treatment because of better affordability and cosmetic improvements.

“At any one time there are probably 500 people with braces,” he said.

For more on Dental Health Week coverage, purchase your copy of Monday's and Saturday’s Sunraysia Daily 02/08/10 and 31/07/2010.