When you wear metal or ceramic braces, you will have to place a few restrictions on your diet until treatment is complete.
Some foods have the potential to damage your braces, and they will result in slower treatment and extra appointments. Other foods are difficult to extract from the wires and brackets, and should only be consumed if you are willing to commit sufficient time to cleaning your braces afterwards.
You should also always use common sense when choosing food to put in your mouth, and avoid chewing on hard objects such as pens and pencils.
Here at Burlingame Smile Studio, our staff will explain which foods you should avoid while wearing braces. We will do everything we can to help you keep your braces in good shape, so that your orthodontics are as efficient and affordable as possible. If you ever have any questions about foods you should or should not eat, don’t hesitate to call our office!
What Foods Might Damage my Braces?
Eating proper foods, minimizing sugar intake and getting enough sleep are essential during orthodontic treatment. Your braces are precise appliances that can be damaged by eating hard foods. Some soft and sticky foods can cause tooth decay and loosen or dislodge your braces.
Problem Hard Foods
Some foods may damage or bend your wires or brackets. These foods you should avoid entirely:
- Popcorn.
- Chewy breads, like bagels or pizza crust.
- Corn chips / kettle chips.
- Corn on the cob.
- Nuts and seeds.
- Beef jerky.
- Hard candies.
- Toffee.
- Ice.
There are other foods that have the potential to damage your braces, but may not need to be avoided entirely. Some foods that you should eat very carefully include:
- Crunchy fruits and vegetables.
- Meat on the bone.
- Hard cookies or snacks.
Whole fruits and vegetables such as apples, carrots, and even corn on the cob may be eaten if they are cooked or cut into thin small pieces and eaten carefully. We suggest that you also cut chewy or crunchy foods into bite-size pieces before consumption.
Problem Soft and Sticky Foods
Finally, there are foods that will stick to your braces. These foods are difficult to remove, so you have to be prepared to go the extra mile to clean your braces. Normally, we advise our patients to stay away from these foods altogether.
Some of these foods include:
- Stringy meats
- Soft caramels
- Chewing gum
- Sticky candy:
- Starbursts
- Sugar Daddies
- Tootsie Rolls
- Gummy Bears
- Caramels
- Taffy
- Avoid soda pop and carbonated drinks that contain sugar.
It is best to limit sugary, chewy, and crunchy foods. If you have any additional care questions, contact Burlingame Smile Studio. When you choose candy or sugary beverages, brush your teeth immediately after to avoid painful decay and poor oral health.
Remember to clean your teeth after every meal or snack, but it is particularly important to clean your teeth after you eat sugary foods that cause decay.
Your Beautiful Straight Smile is Waiting For You in Burlingame, CA
It may seem like a lot of work, but by avoiding these foods and taking extra good care of your teeth during your orthodontic treatment, your braces can work much faster to give you the beautiful smile you want. Call our office today if you have any questions, and we’ll be happy to help explain anything!
