You’ve taken the step towards a better smile by getting braces, but the work has just begun. For optimum results you’ll have to change your dental hygiene routine and a few of your eating habits. Having braces comes with some dietary restrictions because certain foods can not only make your teeth difficult to clean, but also cause damage to the brackets and let’s face it, you didn’t pay all that money just to ruin your braces. Here are some foods to avoid and a few alternatives.
Foods to Avoid Eating with Braces:
- Whole apples
- Corn on the cob
- Meat on the bone
- Hard candy
- Chewy candy- gum or taffy
- Popcorn
- Nuts of any kind
- Items that are not food- Pens, pencils, finger nails, and we’ll add ice to this category.
Hard foods like whole apples, corn on the cob, hard candy, and nuts can all cause damage to braces, including bending wires and loosening cement, as well as breaking brackets. Sticky foods and chewy candy, such as gum, can get stuck in just about anyone’s teeth but especially in the hardware of braces. Chewy and sticky foods can bend wires and pull brackets loose, as well as adhere to the brackets making it difficult to clean the teeth.
If you are uncertain if another food is potentially damaging to your braces, it is best to consult with your orthodontist first.
Best Foods to Eat With Braces:
- Sliced apples
- Apple sauce
- Corn off the cob
- Mashed potatoes
- Soup
- Cooked vegetables
- Soft cooked meats
- Soft fruits
- Muffins
- Soft cookies
Good news, you don’t have to cut out apples and corn completely. Sliced apples, corn off the cob, and softer foods as mentioned above put less wear and tear on braces. You can still enjoy the foods you love by cooking them in different ways. For example, if your favorite meal happens to be ribs and uncooked carrots, opt to cut the meat off the bone and try having cooked carrots instead.
Regardless of the food you choose to eat, it is important to brush your teeth and floss after every meal to prevent food from getting stuck in your braces or between your teeth that can cause discomfort or lead to more serious problems.
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