One of the top questions that patients ask when having braces fitted is which foods they should avoid once their orthodontic appliance is in place. It is very important to be very careful with your diet when you are undergoing orthodontic treatment since some foods can be very problematic when you have a brace fitted. Food can easily become trapped in the wires and brackets of braces, and although braces are strong and sturdy, if you eat very hard or crunchy foods, you could run the risk of breakage or damage.
If you have braces, it’s important to avoid eating any sticky or hard foods or any foods with a high sugar content. Hard foods may damage or break the brackets and wires, while sticky foods may get trapped between the brackets and wires. Sugary food may result in tooth decay or other problems.
Some Foods You Should Avoid
Although this isn’t an exhaustive list, it’s an overview of the kinds of foods that you should steer clear of when you have braces fitted.
- Gum
- Caramel
- Starbursts
- Jelly beans
- Licorice
- Toffee
- Tootsie Rolls
- Nuts
- Popcorn
- Pizza crust
- Hard rolls
- Ice
- Whole apples
- Soda
- Candy
- Donuts
- Cookies
- Chocolate
- Energy drinks, Slurpees and other sugary beverages
What Kind Of Foods Should I Eat When I Have A Brace?
If you’re reading this list of foods to avoid with horror wondering what you’ll actually be able to eat once you start your orthodontic treatment, there’s no need to worry. In fact, there are plenty of nutritious, tasty foods which are very safe for you to eat when you have a brace fitted. These include:
- Popcorn without hulls
- Yogurt
- Cheese
- Light cookies and crackers
- Mashed potato
- Jelly and peanut butter
- Noodles
- Mac and cheese
- Spaghetti and ravioli
- Fruit with no pits such as strawberries, oranges, grapes and bananas
It’s extremely important to eat a nutritious and healthy diet at all times but especially when you have a brace. The more healthy you are, the more effective your treatment will be. This is because eating a well-balanced diet will give you the essential nutrients you need to support the tissues and bones that are going through significant change when you’re having orthodontic treatment.
