Which Foods Should I Avoid With Braces?

Once you get braces, you begin an exciting lifestyle to a straighter & healthier smile. But, along with the benefits of braces comes the responsibility of being mindful about what you eat. Some foods can cause major issues with your orthodontic treatment—damaging your braces or even delaying your progress.

In this simple guide, we’ll walk you through which foods to avoid, why they’re bad for your braces, and how to protect your smile during your orthodontic treatment.

Why Certain Foods Can Be Problematic

Braces are delicate, and eating the wrong foods can lead to broken wires, loose brackets, or other issues that could extend your treatment time. Plus, certain foods can get stuck in your braces, causing cavities and tooth decay.

The key to successful orthodontic treatment in Elgin is to avoid foods that are hard, sticky, or tough. These can damage the components of your braces, delaying your progress or even leading to tooth extraction if not addressed.

Top Foods To Avoid With Braces

Here’s a list of foods you’ll want to steer clear of while wearing braces:

1. Sticky Foods

Sticky treats can get stuck in your braces, pulling on the wires and brackets.

• Chewing gum
• Caramel
• Taffy
• Gummy candies
• Licorice

These foods can get stuck in the small spaces of your braces, making them harder to clean and increasing the risk of cavities.

2. Crunchy Foods

Hard or crunchy foods can easily break your brackets or wires.

• Popcorn (especially unpopped kernels)
• Chips
• Nuts
• Hard taco shells
• Crackers

If you bite into something too crunchy, you risk damaging your braces or even hurting your gums.

3. Hard Foods

Biting into hard foods can lead to broken brackets or wires, causing unnecessary delays.

• Hard candies
• Ice cubes
• Raw carrots or apples (unless cut into smaller pieces)
• Crusty bread

While healthy, hard foods like raw veggies or ice can be hard on your braces. It’s best to cut them into smaller pieces or avoid them altogether.

4. Chewy Foods

Chewy foods can be tough on your braces, stretching wires and loosening brackets.

• Beef jerky
• Granola bars
• Bagels
• Pizza crust

These chewy foods can pull on your braces and cause discomfort. It’s better to choose softer picks while you’re in the orthodontic phase.

Did you know that 1 in 5 people with braces experience broken brackets due to eating the wrong foods? Keeping away from the foods listed above can prevent these common issues, protect your oral health and keep your treatment on track.

What Can You Eat with Braces?

Don’t worry—there are still plenty of delicious and safe foods to enjoy while wearing braces! Here are some orthodontic-friendly options:

• Soft fruits (like bananas, berries, or peaches)
• Scrambled eggs
• Smoothies
• Soft pasta
• Mashed potatoes
• Yogurt
• Soup (but avoid chunky ones that may contain hard foods)

These foods are easy on your braces and won’t cause any unnecessary stress during your treatment.

Helpful Tips for Eating with Braces

Even if you follow all the right food guidelines, it’s still important to use a little extra care when eating. Here are a few helpful tips:

• Cut food into smaller pieces: Always cut up harder foods like apples, carrots, or even pizza before you eat them.
  
• Chew carefully: Use your back teeth to chew. They are stronger and less likely to cause damage to your braces.
  
• Clean your braces regularly: Food gets stuck in your braces, so it’s crucial to brush and floss after every meal.
  
• Avoid biting on non-food objects: This includes pencils, pens, and fingernails. These can damage your braces and your teeth.

Why Does It Matter?

Eating the wrong foods can delay your treatment, cause tooth decay, or even result in broken brackets. If you aren’t careful, you may need to visit an orthodontist more often to fix issues caused by food. In some extreme cases, tooth extraction may be required if there’s too much damage to your teeth or braces.

Keeping your braces in good shape means keeping your treatment on track and avoiding extra appointments or unexpected costs.

Braces are a big commitment, but following these simple food guidelines will help ensure your journey to a beautiful smile is as smooth as possible. Avoid sticky, hard, and chewy foods, and focus on eating soft, orthodontic-friendly foods instead.

Remember to always brush and floss after eating, and don’t hesitate to ask our orthodontist for additional advice on how to protect your braces.

With a little care, your smile will be straight, healthy, and beautiful in no time!