You might wonder, “What can’t you eat with braces?” This is a common question, and for good reason! If you have recently gotten braces, you are probably learning that there are a few food restrictions you will need to follow to keep your braces in good condition and avoid any painful mishaps.
Although braces are an excellent method of straightening your teeth and achieving the smile you have always desired, certain foods can complicate your treatment and extend your treatment time.
In this blog, we are going to walk through what foods you should avoid, why they are problematic, and offer some helpful tips on how to navigate eating with braces.
What Can’t You Eat with Braces
It is also necessary to avoid food that can break or damage your braces. These foods may loosen your brackets or bend your wires, delaying your treatment. So, what can’t you eat with braces? Here is a list of common foods to avoid:
1. Hard Foods
Hard candies, ice, nuts, and raw vegetables can damage your braces. Your braces have brackets and wires that are fragile, and biting on hard objects may break the wires. This can cause discomfort and slow your treatment.
Examples of Hard Foods to Avoid:
- Hard candy (lollipops, jawbreakers)
- Ice cubes
- Caramel
- Corn on the cob (without cutting it off the cob)
- Pretzels
2. Sticky Foods
Another thing that you do not want to indulge in is sticky foods. Caramel, chewing gum, and taffy are common items that stick to your braces and wires, making them difficult to clean. This may lead to plaque buildup, which can cause cavities or gum disease.
Sticky Foods to Avoid:
- Chewing gum
- Caramel
- Taffy
- Fruit snacks
- Gummy candy
3. Sugary Foods and Drinks
Soft drinks such as soda, candy, and even sugary fruit juices may lead to plaque formation and cavities around your braces. Plaque may cause tooth decay, and the last thing you want when wearing braces is tooth decay. Even when you have something sweet, it is always good to rinse your mouth with water.
Examples of Sugary Foods to Be Careful With:
- Soda
- Candy
- Sweetened fruit juice
- Sugary snacks like cookies or cakes
4. Chewy Foods
Chewy foods can get stuck in your braces, making them difficult to remove. Over time, this can increase the risk of cavities or discomfort. Avoid chewing on items such as bagels, pizza crust, and tough meat.
- Pizza crust
- Bagels
- Tough cuts of meat
- Granola bars
5. Whole Fruits and Raw Vegetables
Wholesome fruits, like apples, or raw vegetables, such as carrots, may be too hard to be comfortable for your braces. Often, simply biting into these foods can cause bracket breakage. Such foods should be cut into smaller, more manageable, bite-sized pieces to avoid putting unnecessary stress on your braces.
Examples of Whole Fruits and Vegetables to Avoid:
- Whole apples (cut them into pieces)
- Carrots (cut them into small sticks)
- Corn on the cob (cut off the kernels)
How to Enjoy Your Food with Braces
Now that you know what you can’t eat with braces, here are some tips to eat food with braces:
- Eating soft foods such as yogurt, mashed potatoes, and soup will not irritate the braces.
- You can also cut your fruits and vegetables into bite-sized portions to avoid biting too hard when consuming larger pieces.
- Eat low-sugar snacks and keep your mouth clean to prevent plaque buildup.
Tips for Eating with Brace
Eating with braces can feel tricky at first, but it does not have to be stressful. With a few smart habits, you can enjoy your meals and protect your braces at the same time.
1. Cut Your Food into Smaller Pieces
One of the simplest ways to eat when wearing braces is to cut food into bite-sized pieces. It is because eating bite-sized portions is less stressful to both the teeth and the braces. It also prevents chips or bends in the braces.
2. Chew Slowly and Carefully
Eat your meals slowly. This will help you avoid over-munching, as hard malleting of the braces can cause damage. This will help you have smooth meals.
3. Brush and Floss After Meals
Food often gets stuck in braces. Brushing and flossing teeth after meals helps dislodge food and prevent cavities and plaque buildup. Regular toothbrushing helps prevent bad breath.
4. Use a Straw for Sugary Drinks
If you drink soda or juice, using a straw helps prevent sugar from coming into contact with your teeth and braces.
5. Sticky and Hard Foods
Sticky, hard food can stick to and damage braces. Select foods that are soft, easy to chew, and easily removable by water.
Conclusion
It is important to know what you can’t eat with braces to maintain the health of your teeth and keep your braces in good condition. Although it might appear that you are depriving yourself of some of your favorite snacks, there are plenty of snacks that you can have with braces on.
Proper oral care is as essential as good eating habits; therefore, brush and floss daily. In any case, when you are not sure about the safety of a certain food to eat with braces, then you should consult your orthodontist.
At Innovative Dental and Orthodontics, we are here to support you at every step, from braces to aftercare. If you have any questions about braces or would like to schedule a consultation, contact us at (407) 542-4580 or visit us at 1884 County Road 419 #1010, Oviedo, FL 32765.
FAQ
Can I eat popcorn with braces?
Popcorn is not a good choice when you have braces. The hard kernels may lodge between the brackets and the wires, which can be uncomfortable. Unless you are in a hurry to have your braces removed, avoid popcorn.
Is it okay to eat chips with braces?
Chips are crunchy and can be difficult to remove from braces. Hard chips may damage the wires or loosen the brackets. If you really want chips, try breaking them into very small pieces and chewing carefully using your back teeth. Even then, it’s better to limit how often you eat them.
Can I eat ice with braces?
No, chewing ice is not safe with braces. Ice is very hard and can easily crack a bracket or damage the wire. It can also hurt your teeth and gums. If you like cold drinks, let the ice melt before drinking.
Can I eat pizza with braces?
You can eat pizza with braces, but you should be careful. Hard or chewy crusts should be avoided because they will destroy your break-even point. Take the pizza and stick to the soft part, and cut it into tiny pieces. Have a bite in order to preserve your braces.
