Getting braces is an important step toward achieving a straighter, healthier smile, but it also comes with a few changes to your daily habits, especially when it comes to eating. Some foods can damage your brackets or wires or get stuck in hard-to-reach places, increasing your risk for cavities and gum issues, both of which will likely cause setbacks to your overall treatment timeline. To help keep your treatment on track, here are some foods to avoid while wearing braces, along with some safe, tasty alternatives to enjoy instead.

Foods That You Should Avoid with Braces

When you have braces, it’s important to avoid anything that could bend wires, pop off brackets, or make your teeth more difficult to clean. Some foods are just too tough, too sticky, or too crunchy to be safe to eat. Here are a few common examples:

• Sticky candies like caramel, taffy, and chewing gum can easily get stuck in your brackets, and they’ll be difficult to clean off.
• Hard foods, like nuts, popcorn kernels, ice cubes, and hard candies like jawbreakers and lollipops, can break brackets or wires.
• Crunchy snacks like chips, pretzels, and even raw vegetables can cause damage if they aren’t softened or cut into smaller pieces.
• Particularly chewy foods, such as bagels and tough breads, or even pizza crusts, might also pull on braces and loosen brackets and wires.
• Corn on the cob, whole apples, or anything else that you have to bite directly into can also cause issues like dislodged brackets.

Following all of your orthodontist’s dietary guidelines is essential to avoid setbacks during your treatment. Damaged brackets over wires can delay your progress and increase the time you’ll need to wear your braces.

Braces-Friendly Food Alternatives

The good news is, there are still plenty of delicious foods you can enjoy while protecting your braces. The key is to stick with the softer textures in bite-sized pieces, and it doesn’t hurt to stick with healthier options whenever possible! Here are a few braces-safe food options:

• Soft fruits such as bananas, berries, applesauce, and ripe melons are all easy on braces and both nutritious and delicious!
• Cooked vegetables, like steamed carrots, mashed potatoes, and soft squash and zucchini, are tasty and gentle on your hardware.
• Dairy products contain calcium, which, on its own, is excellent for your teeth. These items also tend to be easy to eat; think cheeses, yogurts, milkshakes, and more.
• Pasta and rice; these soft, easy-to-chew foods are both fillings and braces-friendly. Just be sure you’re cooking them thoroughly.
• Tender meats, like ground beef and shredded chicken, and even meatballs, are usually easier to eat compared to tougher cuts of meat.
• Soft bread and baked goods, like muffins, pancakes, and tortillas, are easier to chew than crusty breads and bagels.

If you’re ever unsure whether a food is safe to eat with braces, it’s best to err on the side of caution or ask your orthodontist for guidance!

About the Practice  

Here at Simply Orthodontics Dayville, we’re proud to offer families in the area a wide range of life-changing orthodontic solutions. We proudly offer treatments like traditional metal braces, clear aligners, and more for patients of all ages. If you have any questions or you’d like to get in touch to set up an appointment, please reach out online or call today for more information. Telephone: (860) 590-8497.