What Can’t You Eat with Braces?

Hard, sticky, crunchy or chewy foods are styles of food you should avoid when you have braces. These types of foods are considered off limits because they may damage wires, brackets or bands that are utilised on your teeth.

Imagine biting into a hard piece of food like a hard lolly, and the bracket from your tooth suddenly pops off. Not only does this cause pain but could result in a longer treatment for your braces as well as more visits in the chair.

The great news is, by eating foods that are at lower risk of damaging your braces, you can preserve your oral health and maintain your braces at the same time.
Let’s explore,

• What you can and can’t eat with braces

• The best options for food with braces on

• Foods to avoid when you are undergoing braces treatment

• Commonly asked questions from clients about food and braces

Our professionals atNorwest orthodontics offer personalised treatment and guidance when it comes to maintaining your oral hygiene, maintaining your braces and eating the right foods, so we can help you achieve a happy and healthy smile.

What Happens if I Eat the Wrong Food with Braces?

When wearing your braces, eating the wrong food can lead to the cause of a number of issues over time. This can vary from bacteria building up, damaged or broken braces and poor oral hygiene.

The problem:

• Bracket Damage:Sticky of hard foods can cause wires to come loose or damage brackets

• Long Term Care:Broken braces require far more orthodontist appointments and cause delays in the correct alignment of your teeth.

• Oral Health Risks:Sugary or sticky foods can become lodged in your braces, which can lead to tooth root and plaque accumulation.

• Discomfort: Sensitive teeth and gums may experience pain or irritation when chewing hard or crunchy foods.

Important things to keep in mind:

• Steer clear of sticky foods like lollies, or peanut butter that clings to your brace’s brackets

• Avoid extremely hard food like nuts and raw vegetables unless you cut them into little pieces

• To avoid plaque accumulation around braces, practise good oral hygiene regularly

What Can You Eat with Braces?

There are many tasty foods to eat with braces, that are available even when braces restrict some dietary choices.

These foods are easy to eat, are softer to chew, and won’t damage your braces.
Foods that are a good choice for braces:

• Dairy:Milkshakes, yoghurt and soft cheese are examples of dairy products that are high in calcium and healthy for your teeth

• Soft Grains:Rice, quinoa, and pasta are gentle on wires and brackets.

• Proteins:Boneless fish, soft chicken and scrambled eggs are good for your health and won’t cause interference with your braces.

• Fruits: Berries and banana varieties are vitamin rich and easy to chew.

Healthier food options:

• A combination of fruit and yoghurt filled smoothies, provide a nutritional boost

• Muesli and other grains like oatmeal for good fibre and energy

• Lean proteins for muscle repair, such as fish or soft tofu

These healthier food selections, offer a great selection of food that is great for your teeth, protect your braces and keep your oral health in check.

Are there Specific Foods I Should Avoid with Braces?

Yes definitely, you should avoid certain types of food that pose a risk to your braces treatment. Such as the texture and composition of the food, for example biting into a very hard apple, which would ordinarily be ok without braces.

Foods to steer clear of:

Hard Foods

• Raw carrots, (unless chopped into much smaller pieces)

• Corn on the cob

• Nuts

• Hard lollies

Extremely hard foods like this can cause more severe damages to your braces:

Sticky/Chewy Treats

• Gummy bears

• Caramels

• Lolly snakes

• Chocolate bars

As well as being super difficult to remove from braces, the high sugar content can cause build up and health issues on your teeth
Crunchy Snacks

• Chips

• Popcorn

• Pretzels

Crunchy snacks will often break down into little particles in the mouth and are notorious for getting stuck between teeth. With braces, the small pieces are likely to get stuck in your brackets and wires making it difficult to clean.
By avoiding certain types of food like the above you can maintain your braces, while also staying healthy.

For any further information about food types to avoid you can chat with our helpful team of specialists who can guide and support your treatment.