Orthodontic braces serve the purpose of realigning and straightening teeth, which results in an appearance that is more pleasing, along with making it an easier task to keep your teeth clean.
However, your braces can only be effective if you are caring for them in the correct way, and there are certain types of food that you will need to avoid to make sure you achieve favourable results within the shortest time frame.
Eating the incorrect foods will not only result in discomfort or pain, but you also risk breaking the wires or brackets which result in having to book an unscheduled appointment with an orthodontist and increasing your overall treatment time.
In addition, if you continue to eat foods which become lodged in your braces and foods that contain a high sugar content, this creates an environment that will encourage bacteria and plaque to thrive and grow which might result in permanent damage to your teeth.
Here is our guide on the foods that you can eat during your treatment, along with the food types to avoid.
Examples Of Foods That Are Safe For Braces
According to the diet and nutrition team at Proactive Health, “the best types of foods that you can eat when you have braces are the ones that do not have high concentrations of sugar, and do not require an excessive amount of chewing.” An example of breakfast foods includes yoghurt, eggs, soft bacon, oatmeal, or toast. Stay away from cereals such as crunchy granola.
For your lunches, rather eat a soft fruit such as a banana rather than apples, or try eating salads that are free from nuts. Sandwiches are also okay, but make sure you drink water after your meal to wash everything down. If you need a few ideas for after-school snacks for the kids, try baked tortillas with guacamole and salsa, or fruit and string cheese.
For healthy dinner options, most vegetables are fine provided they are cooked and soft. You can pair your vegetables with lean proteins such as fish or chicken breast. If you do eat any desserts after dinner makes sure you brush your teeth immediately afterward.
According to the dessert specialists at Pearl’s Creations, “people with braces should avoid hard and sticky candies and desserts because they can damage your orthodontic work. Instead, opt for soft desserts like cakes, cupcakes, macarons, puddings, or soft candies that melt in the mouth. Because sugar may cause tooth decay, one should eat these desserts in moderation or if possible, choose sugar-free options.”
Post-Adjustment Foods
As your braces start to alter the positions of each tooth, your orthodontist will adjust them periodically to promote the process of alignment. After each of these adjustment consultations, which is usually every 5 to 8 weeks, you may feel a bit of pain, sensitivity, and discomfort. This usually only lasts for a couple of days. Yet during these times, it is recommended to stick to soft foods that require the least amount of chewing. Some examples include:
- Soup
- Mashed potatoes
- Pancakes
- Peas
- Cottage cheese
- Rice or pasta
- Jelly
- Ice cream
- Soft puddings
Foods To Avoid While Wearing Braces
Any person that wears braces that are fixed should be aiming for a balanced and healthy diet, without excessive snacking.
There are certain types of foods that can result in damaging your braces, which is why you need to stay away from them over the course of your treatment. These foods include anything that is hard enough to damage or break the wires.
Other foods to stay away from include the chewy foods which could stick to the brackets and wires, causing them to tear or break off. It is also best to stay away from any type of food which can get stuck between your teeth, as this can encourage bacteria to breed and make your teeth harder to clean.
According to the weight-loss experts at Hypnotherapy Canberra, “cutting down your sugar intake and having a balanced diet doesn’t only positively affect your orthodontic work but also promote weight loss. In this way having braces can help sculpt healthy eating patterns that can last long after your teeth are finished being corrected.”
Food to stay away from when you have braces include:
- Chewy caramel or gum
- Nuts
- Popcorn
- Hard raw vegetables like carrots
Considerations To Keep In Mind When You Eat With Braces
Regardless of the food types, you decide to eat while wearing braces, you need to make sure you keep all the crevices between each tooth and around your braces extremely clean. This will mean flossing and brushing after every meal to avoid the accumulation of bacteria and plaque which leads to decay.
If you would like to achieve the quickest and best results from an orthodontic treatment that includes braces, you need to make sure you are eating the recommended foods over the course of the treatment and to find out from your orthodontist about any concerns or questions you may have about your treatment.
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Nicholas May is an aspiring writer and content creator. He is driven to create content that increases website traffic, clicks and conversions. And hopes to one day launch his own business with the skills he’s learned.
