Many foods are off-limits while you have braces on your teeth, but that doesn’t mean you can’t eat anything! It just means that you need to make smart food choices when eating, especially at first. In time, your braces will be removed and you’ll be able to enjoy many different types of food again without causing any harm to your teeth or gums. Until then, here are some foods what can’t you eat with braces!
Why Are Dietary Changes Needed With Braces?
When you’re starting a treatment for orthodontic braces, you may be concerned about what foods are okay to eat and what foods aren’t. After all, eating is one of life’s great pleasures! While your orthodontist will go over specific dietary recommendations with you, here are some general rules: avoid sticky foods that might get caught in your braces; try not to chew on your brackets or bands if they have screws; avoid hard candies (they could chip or break teeth); and, again, consult with your doctor before making any major changes to your diet. To ensure adequate nutrition during your treatment time, talk to a registered dietitian who can help tailor food-intake recommendations based on individual needs.
To Protect Braces From Damage
Avoid sticky foods like gummy bears, caramel candies, peanut butter, and sunflower seeds. Also stay away from high-acid foods like lemons, oranges, tomatoes and other fruits. Basically, if you can bite into it without chewing too hard or breaking a tooth—it’s not safe for braces. It’s also a good idea to stick with food that’s smooth rather than crunchy. Don’t forget to chew your food well! Crunching on pretzels or chips could put an undue amount of pressure on your braces and potentially damage them before they have time to settle in properly.
To Avoid Discomfort After Adjustments To Braces
While it’s normal to feel a little discomfort after an adjustment to braces, there are some things you can do to make sure you’re as comfortable as possible. Before your appointment, plan on eating lightly at lunchtime and skipping meals entirely after dinner. This will help ensure that your mouth is well-hydrated before your visit, which will reduce any irritation from cleaning. After you adjust your braces and prior to leaving, sip on some water or suck on ice cubes (if approved by your orthodontist). This will soothe any tenderness in your mouth caused by wearing teeth-straightening appliances while allowing them time to settle into their new position.
To Reduce The Risk Of Stained Teeth
If you can avoid staining, do so. One way to reduce your risk of staining is to keep rinsing your mouth out with water after each meal and snack. This will help wash away food particles before they have a chance to stain your teeth. It’s also important to brush after every meal; otherwise, food particles will be left on your teeth for hours until you brush again.
To Change Chewing Technique
Do you eat crunchy foods like popcorn, chips or carrots often? Chewing on these types of foods may be contributing to jaw pain from teeth grinding. To avoid pain, try chewing more slowly and consider avoiding or limiting crunchy/hard foods. Also, make sure you’re staying on track with regular appointments and checkups with your orthodontist. The best way to prevent tooth decay is through good oral hygiene at home with regular flossing and brushing, so don’t skip out on that routine! In addition to diet changes, some people find that wearing a mouth guard helps keep their teeth from touching when they grind their teeth while sleeping.
What You Can Eat With Braces
What can you eat with braces? Because food and braces don’t always mix, talk to your orthodontist about what you can and can’t eat. While your diet may be limited, there are still plenty of foods that won’t damage your braces or irritate sensitive teeth. Some of these include applesauce, plain yogurt, vegetables like carrots and broccoli, toast and soft pretzels. Foods you should avoid with braces include anything sticky or chewy; these might get caught in brackets or gum up wires. Hard candy and peanut brittle also shouldn’t be eaten as they are difficult to digest without enamel protection from teeth.
What You Can’t Eat With Braces
It’s true: with braces you can eat whatever you want. But don’t go getting any ideas that you can eat all of your favorite foods, any time you like. Many popular snacks and treats are off-limits to those with braces because they’re too hard, too chewy or could have other harmful effects on your mouth. Many snacks—such as gum, popcorn and granola bars—are difficult to chew without a full set of healthy teeth, so it’s best to avoid them while you have braces on. The sugar in candy can stick to your braces and may cause cavities in between appointments.
