Getting braces is an exciting step toward achieving the perfect smile, but it also comes with some lifestyle adjustments. One of the most significant changes you’ll need to make is to your diet. Braces are designed to gently move your teeth into their ideal position, but eating the wrong foods can damage your braces, prolong your treatment, or even lead to oral health issues.
In this guide, we’ll discuss the foods you should avoid while wearing braces, why it’s important to avoid them, and tips for maintaining a braces-friendly diet. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your orthodontic journey goes as smoothly as possible.
Why Avoid Certain Foods While Wearing Braces?
Braces are composed of brackets, wires, and sometimes bands, all of which work together to align your teeth. While durable, braces are not indestructible. Certain foods can:
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Damage Brackets and Wires: Hard or sticky foods can break the brackets or bend the wires, requiring extra visits to your orthodontist and potentially prolonging your treatment.
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Cause Discomfort: Some foods may irritate your gums or get stuck in your braces, leading to discomfort or difficulty cleaning your teeth.
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Increase the Risk of Cavities: Foods high in sugar can lead to plaque buildup, which is harder to clean from around braces, increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
Being mindful of what you eat will help protect your braces and keep your treatment on track.
Foods to Avoid While Wearing Braces
Here’s a detailed list of foods to steer clear of while wearing braces:
1. Hard Foods
Hard foods can break or dislodge brackets, bend wires, or damage other parts of your braces. Examples include:
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Nuts
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Hard candies
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Crunchy raw vegetables (like carrots and celery)
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Hard fruits (such as whole apples or unripe pears)
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Ice cubes (chewing on ice is especially damaging)
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Corn on the cob
If you enjoy these foods, consider cutting them into smaller, bite-sized pieces or cooking them to soften their texture. For example, slice apples thinly or steam vegetables to make them easier to chew.
2. Sticky Foods
Sticky foods can cling to your braces and be extremely difficult to remove. They can also pull brackets off your teeth or get lodged in hard-to-reach places, increasing the risk of cavities. Avoid:
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Chewing gum
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Caramel
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Taffy
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Gummy candies
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Toffee
Replacing sticky snacks with braces-friendly treats like yogurt, pudding, or soft fruits is a great way to satisfy your cravings without damaging your braces.
3. Chewy Foods
Chewy foods pose a similar risk to sticky foods, as they can put excessive pressure on your braces. Avoid foods like:
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Bagels
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Pizza crusts
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Beef jerky
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Chewy granola bars
Opt for softer alternatives, such as soft bread, pasta, or tender cuts of meat, which are easier to chew and gentler on your braces.
4. Sugary Foods and Drinks
While sugary foods aren’t a direct threat to the structure of your braces, they can lead to tooth decay if not thoroughly cleaned from around your brackets and wires. Limit your consumption of:
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Soda and fizzy drinks
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Candy (especially hard or sticky varieties)
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Chocolate bars with caramel or nuts
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Cakes, cookies, and pastries
If you do indulge in sugary foods, be sure to brush and floss thoroughly afterward to prevent plaque buildup.
5. Crunchy or Crispy Snacks
Crunchy snacks can break wires and brackets, while small crumbs can get stuck in your braces. Avoid snacks like:
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Popcorn (kernels can be particularly problematic)
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Chips
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Pretzels
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Crackers
Instead, try softer snacks like cheese, hummus, or mashed avocado on soft bread.
Foods You Can Enjoy with Braces
While there are some foods to avoid, there are still plenty of delicious and braces-friendly options that you can enjoy throughout your treatment. These include:
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Dairy: Yogurt, soft cheese, and milk
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Cooked Vegetables: Mashed potatoes, steamed broccoli, and roasted zucchini
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Soft Fruits: Bananas, berries, and sliced peaches
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Proteins: Scrambled eggs, soft fish, and shredded chicken
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Grains: Pasta, rice, and soft bread
These foods are gentle on your braces and easy to clean from your teeth, making them ideal for maintaining good oral hygiene.
Tips for Eating with Braces
Here are some additional tips to help you navigate your diet while wearing braces:
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Cut Food into Smaller Pieces: Even braces-friendly foods can cause issues if eaten in large bites. Cutting food into smaller pieces makes it easier to chew and reduces the risk of damaging your braces.
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Chew Slowly and Carefully: Take your time when eating to avoid putting unnecessary pressure on your braces.
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Stay Hydrated: Drinking water helps rinse away food particles and sugar, keeping your braces and teeth clean.
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Brush and Floss Regularly: Proper oral hygiene is crucial while wearing braces. Clean your teeth thoroughly after meals to prevent food buildup and decay.
Protect Your Braces, Protect Your Smile
Being mindful of what you eat while wearing braces can make a huge difference in the outcome of your treatment. Avoiding the wrong foods means fewer emergency visits, faster progress, and a more comfortable experience overall. When in doubt, choose soft, easy-to-chew foods and always keep up with your oral hygiene routine.
If you’re ever unsure about what foods are safe or need more advice about living with braces, don’t hesitate to reach out to the team at Solas Orthodontics for expert support and personalised care.
