One way you can help prevent any complications from occurring when you wear braces is to be careful about your diet while using them. Our team at Eastside Orthodontics advises that you stay away from certain foods while wearing braces to help keep unwanted problems from arising.
What You Should NOT Eat With Braces
Certain foods can be problematic when wearing braces, as they can damage the braces or be challenging to remove if they get stuck. By avoiding these specific types of foods, you will be much happier in the long run.
- Sticky, gummy, and chewy foods. Caramel, taffy, gummy bears, and other types of sticky sugar can not only coat your teeth and increase your risk of tooth decay but can also tug on your braces and your wires and may make them snap.
- Acidic and sugary beverages such as soft drinks, coffee, and fruit juices. Not only can these drinks lead to tooth decay, but they can also stain your teeth and your braces.
- Chewing gum as it can cling and stick to your braces, leading to quite the mess.
- Hard candies, nuts, ice cubes, corn on the cob, and even raw fruits and veggies as they are hard and can damage your braces. If you want to keep eating foods like apples or carrots, you can include them in your diet, but make sure you cut them into bite-sized pieces first or cook them (to soften them up) before eating them.
- Popcorn as the kernels can get trapped in your braces and become difficult to remove. This can also cause your gums to become inflamed and swollen.
What You CAN Eat With Braces
- Smoothies
- Soups and chili
- Yogurt, cheese, and other dairy products
- Bananas, strawberries, and other soft fruits
- Applesauce
- Oatmeal
- Eggs
- Tuna, baked fish, meatloaf, and tofu
- Mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, and sweet potatoes
- Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
- Pasta dishes
- Thin and light crackers or cookies
Keep in mind, that soft foods are easier on the hardware in your mouth. If you're not sure about a certain food, ask yourself if it fits into one of the categories of foods to avoid: hard, chewy, sticky, sugary, or acidic.
If you have any questions or are interested in learning more about what you can and cannot eat while wearing braces, please give us a call.