What Foods to Avoid with Braces

Braces improve your smile’s health and look by aligning your teeth and jaw. Taking proper care of your braces is essential to getting the most from your treatment.

Eating the right foods will help keep your teeth healthy and prevent your braces from getting damaged. Keep reading to learn which food to avoid with braces.

Why Is It Important to Avoid Certain Foods with Braces?

Most braces systems have a lot of parts, including brackets, wires, and elastic bands. Damon Braces feature a bracket that has a door that secures the wire. Even Invisalign uses buttons attached to your teeth, which certain foods may damage. Crunchy or sticky foods can bend, break, or displace your braces’ components.

If food damages your braces, the parts will require replacement or repair. Making extra trips to the orthodontist can strain your daily schedule and prolong your treatment timeline. The best way to keep your teeth healthy and stay on schedule is by remembering what not to eat with braces.

What Not to Eat with Braces

Most of the foods you should avoid during treatment are hard, crunchy, or sticky, including:

Nuts of all kinds
Rolls and other hard breads
Hard or sticky cand

Corn chips and pretzels
Popcorn
Tough meats like beef jerky

Ice
Raw vegetables and corn on the cob
Gum

The foods listed above can bend your wires and break your brackets. Along with foods that can damage your braces, you should also avoid pigmented food that can stain your teeth and sugary foods that can cause cavities.

List of Foods You Can Eat with Braces

You can still eat plenty of delicious food while wearing braces. Here is a list of foods you can eat when they are new or you have had an adjustment:

Ice cream and soft desserts
Soft potatoes
Pasta
Eggs

Seafood
Oatmeal
Soft fruits
Smoothies

Yogurt
Stew
Soft bread
Cheese

You can also get creative by combining different kinds of food you can eat. The most important thing is to protect your braces and teeth so you can confidently share your smile!

Appliances like Invisalign do not have as many restrictions on what you can or cannot eat. Learn more about how Invisalign lets you enjoy a better smile without giving up too much of the foods you love.

Still Wondering What Food to Avoid with Braces? Contact Us Today

Our knowledgeable and friendly staff can help keep your treatment on track! We are ready to answer any questions about getting the most from your braces.

Taking the first step towards a perfect smile starts by contacting Mary Cay Koen and her terrific team. Schedule your free consultation with Goodlettsville’s expert orthodontist now!