What Foods Should You Avoid With Braces?

Taking care of your braces is important, and that means saying goodbye to some of your favourite foods for a while. Don’t worry, it won’t be forever, and it will definitely be worth it in the end.

Certain foods can damage your braces. Hard, crunchy and sticky foods can loosen brackets and wires resulting in delays to your treatment.

Here are some foods to avoid while you have your braces.

Foods to avoid

• Chewy food – liquorice, chewing gum and bagels
• Sticky food – caramel and toffee
• Crunchy food – popcorn, crisps, ice and pizza crust
• Hard food – nuts and hard-boiled sweets
• Food that you have to bite into – apples, carrots, celery and corn on the cob

It’s also a good idea to limit the number of sugary drinks, such as fizzy drinks and fruit juice.

One question we’re often asked is: ‘Can I still eat pizza with my braces?’ The answer is ‘yes’ but don’t forget to cut the crust off!

Foods You Can Eat With Braces?

You don’t want to damage your braces, so what foods are the best to eat?

• Liquids – smoothies and soup
• Soft foods – scrambled eggs, mashed potato, pancakes, oatmeal, avocado, pasta and cooked vegetables
• Fruit – banana, mango and stewed apple and pear, watermelon and grapes
• Fish – tuna and salmon
• Meat – chicken and meatballs
• Dairy – soft cheese, yoghurt and ice cream

What to eat for the first week

The first few days after getting your braces are the hardest. One way to help to ease the discomfort is to stick to soft food. Your teeth will probably feel sensitive while you’re adjusting to your braces, so avoid ice cream, spicy food and citrus fruit.

As you feel more comfortable with your braces, you can start to introduce other foods.

How to Eat With Braces: Tips and Tricks

We know it’s hard to change your eating habits during your treatment, so we’ve got some tips to help you along.

• Cut up crunchy food like apples and carrots into small bite-sized pieces
• Use a knife and fork to eat food you would usually bite into, like sandwiches
• Chew carefully and take smaller bites
• Use your back teeth to chew. Biting with your front teeth should be avoided as it may loosen your brackets

Maintaining Good Oral Hygiene With Braces

Being conscious of what you eat and how you eat it is only half the story. Regular brushing and flossing are important to prevent cavities, discolouration and the build-up of plaque.

Use a toothbrush with soft bristles to remove food that may be trapped in your teeth or the wire of your brace.

Don’t forget to floss with interproximal brushes. This helps to dislodge food particles that your toothbrush cannot reach. You can also use an orthodontic brush to clean in between the brackets.

To relieve discomfort after eating, try using orthodontic wax or over-the-counter painkillers. Contact your orthodontist if the discomfort persists.

Even with your braces, you can still enjoy many of the foods you love. If your favourite snack is on the list of food to avoid, go for a healthy, low-sugar alternative.

Following these do’s and don’ts will keep your smile happy and healthy for years to come.