Eating Smart With Braces: The Ultimate Guide To Foods To Avoid

Living with braces can be challenging, and part of that challenge is figuring out what to eat.

Even if you’ve got a perfect smile on the horizon, it pays to take extra care with mealtime choices while your teeth are in motion. Eating the wrong thing can lead to painful problems like broken brackets or wires that may delay treatment — not something anyone wants!

If you’re among those who have decided to take the plunge to learn and read about braces, you may find yourself wondering: What foods to avoid with braces? While it’s a question we could all go without asking, it’s important to know what not to eat when you have braces. From hard candy to tough meat, certain foods need to be avoided to keep your braces in tip-top shape.

This blog post will provide an extensive list of food items you should steer clear of while wearing braces.

Avoid Hard Foods

As kids, we’re all warned that hard candy is bad for us, but it’s even more of a hazard when you have braces. Hard candies can cause brackets to break or become loose, and if your wires aren’t properly secured, you may need emergency visits to orthodontists in Sydney, Australia. Besides hard candies, there are other hard foods that we should avoid, such as:

• Nuts: Almonds, walnuts, and other nuts are incredibly hard and require a lot of force to chew. This can cause the wires on your braces to become loose or even break.
• Crunchy vegetables: Raw vegetables such as carrots or celery can be difficult for braces-wearers to bite into without causing damage. Try steaming or lightly cooking these types of foods instead — this will help make them easier to eat.

Be Careful With Sticky Foods

Are you fond of chewing gum? If you have braces, it’s best to put this habit on hold until your teeth are all straightened out. Not only is gum difficult to remove from the brackets and wires of your braces, but it can also cause them to become loose or break. In addition to gum, there are other sticky foods that should be avoided:

• Taffy: Taffy and caramel candies adhere to braces easily, so it’s important not to indulge in these treats while wearing them.
• Chewing tobacco: If you’re a smoker with braces, then you should avoid using chewing tobacco altogether — its stickiness is incredibly hard for orthodontists to remove without damaging your braces.

Avoid Sugary Treats

There are so many sugary treats that we love, but it’s best to stay away from these when you have braces. Not only can sugar damage your teeth, but it can also lead to tooth decay and other oral health issues.

Here are some of the sugary items you should avoid:

• Cake: A birthday cake or a slice of wedding cake might look tempting, but eating them with braces can cause brackets to become loose or break. This can happen as the cake is chewed and tugged at your braces.
• Ice cream cones: Ice cream is already bad for your teeth, and eating an ice cream cone with braces makes it even worse. Try having a cup of ice cream instead — this way, you won’t risk damaging your braces.
• Soft drinks: Sodas are full of sugar and acid, both of which are bad for your teeth. If you must drink a soft drink, make sure to brush it away quickly and thoroughly.

Stay Away From Tough Meats

Many people love to eat steak and other tough meats, but it can take effort to bite into mealtime favorites if you wear braces. Tougher cuts of meat require more force to chew — this could lead to damage to the brackets and wires that hold your braces in place. Instead of having a steak dinner, opt for items like fish or chicken.

As you can see, there are many types of foods that need to be avoided when you have braces. Keeping these tips in mind can help ensure your teeth stay healthy and secure while straightening out. Just remember: always consult with an orthodontist before making any changes or adjustments to your diet.

Conclusion

Food is very important for your health, especially if you have braces or are considering getting braces. Eating the wrong foods can lead to damage and delay your treatment, so it’s important to be aware of what not to eat with braces. Hard candies, sticky treats, sugary snacks, and tough meats should all be avoided in order to ensure that your braces stay safe and sound.

If you’re ever unsure about a certain food item or activity, always consult with an orthodontist first. Good luck on your journey towards achieving the perfect smile!

Read Also:

• 13 Tips To Keep Kids’ Teeth Healthy
• 5 Tips to Keep Your Teeth White and Avoid Stains
• More Than Teeth: How Dentists Handle Your Dental Information