Braces are an essential tool in modern orthodontics, helping to straighten teeth and improve overall dental health. However, while undergoing braces treatment, it’s important to consider the types of foods you consume to ensure optimal results and prevent damage to your braces. In this guide, we’ll explore which foods to avoid during your braces treatment and provide recommendations for maintaining a healthy, braces-friendly diet.
Why is Your Diet Important During Braces Treatment?
When you have braces, certain foods can cause significant damage to the brackets and wires, leading to delayed treatment or additional appointments. Braces also make it more challenging to maintain good oral hygiene, as food can get stuck in the braces and be difficult to remove. By being mindful of your diet, you can prevent damage to your braces, maintain good oral hygiene, and ensure a quicker, more effective treatment.
Orthodontic care involves a careful balance of maintaining a healthy diet while avoiding foods that could hinder your progress. Understanding the specific foods to avoid and replacing them with braces-friendly alternatives will help you achieve the smile you desire with minimal setbacks.
What Foods Should You Avoid with Braces?
Certain textures, ingredients, and foods can interfere with the effectiveness of braces treatment, leading to discomfort or the need for repair. Here’s a closer look at what you should avoid during your treatment.
- Sticky Foods
Sticky foods can cling to your braces, making them difficult to remove and potentially causing plaque buildup, which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Moreover, sticky foods can pull on your braces, loosening or damaging brackets and wires. It’s best to steer clear of these items to ensure a smooth orthodontic experience.
- Examples:
- Caramel
- Toffee
- Chewy Lollies (e.g., gummy bears, liquorice)
- Fruit snacks
- Taffy
- Hard Foods
Hard foods put unnecessary pressure on your braces and can easily cause them to break. Biting into something hard can lead to bent wires, loose brackets, or even broken bands. To avoid these problems, it’s essential to avoid hard foods during your treatment.
- Examples:
- Popcorn (kernels)
- Ice cubes
- Hard nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts)
- Hard Lollies (e.g., jawbreakers, lollipops)
- Raw carrots (unless cut into smaller pieces)
- Chewy Foods
Chewy foods can place stress on your braces, making it harder for you to chew and putting additional strain on the brackets and wires. These foods can also get stuck in the gaps of your braces, causing issues with oral hygiene.
- Examples:
- Bagels
- Pizza crust (especially when it’s hard)
- Tough meats (e.g., steak, ribs)
- Bread with tough crusts
- Sugary Foods and Drinks
While sugary foods may seem tempting, they can contribute to tooth decay and plaque buildup, especially when food particles become trapped in the brackets of your braces. Sweets and sugary drinks can also lead to discolouration around the braces, affecting your smile’s appearance. Limiting your sugar intake is key to keeping your teeth healthy during orthodontic treatment.
- Examples:
- Sugary drinks (e.g., sodas, fruit juices)
- Lollies (especially sour or chewy varieties)
- Cakes, cookies, and other sugary snacks
- Acidic Foods
Acidic foods can weaken the bonding of your brackets and wires to your teeth, making them more susceptible to damage. Additionally, these foods can cause discomfort, especially when your braces are new and your teeth are more sensitive. Reducing acidic food consumption can help protect the integrity of your braces.
- Examples:
- Citrus fruits (e.g., lemons, oranges)
- Pickles
- Vinegar-based dressings or condiments
- Tomato-based sauces
- Sticky and Crunchy Snacks
Certain crunchy and sticky snacks can be damaging to your braces and teeth. The combination of both sticky and crunchy textures places stress on the braces, making them more likely to become loose. These foods can also be difficult to clean from your braces, leading to potential plaque buildup.
- Examples:
- Granola bars
- Cereal (especially if hard or chewy)
- Potato chips
- Ice Cream (with chunks or nuts)
Ice cream is often associated with being gentle on the teeth, but when it contains hard chunks or nuts, it becomes a risk for those with braces. Biting into chunks or nuts can lead to broken brackets and wires, causing unnecessary delays in treatment.
- Example:
- Ice cream with chunks of nuts or hard candies
What Are Braces-Friendly Foods?
Now that we’ve covered the foods to avoid, let’s take a look at some braces-friendly alternatives that will help keep your treatment on track. These foods are soft, easy to chew, and won’t damage your braces or hinder your progress.
- Soft Foods
Soft foods are the ideal choice when you have braces. They are easy to chew and won’t place stress on the brackets and wires. Incorporating more of these foods into your diet will help you maintain your oral health and stay comfortable throughout your treatment.
- Examples:
- Yogurt
- Pudding
- Mashed potatoes
- Oatmeal
- Smooth soups
- Scrambled eggs
- Avocados
- Cooked Vegetables
Cooked vegetables are much softer than raw vegetables, making them ideal for braces wearers. They’re also nutritious and provide essential vitamins and minerals for maintaining good oral health.
- Examples:
- Steamed carrots
- Mashed sweet potatoes
- Sautéed spinach
- Soft Fruits
Soft fruits are packed with vitamins and are easy to eat without damaging your braces. Opt for fruits that don’t require a lot of chewing, such as bananas or cooked apples.
- Examples:
- Bananas
- Apples (sliced or cooked)
- Peaches
- Berries
- Grapes
- Tender Meats
When it comes to meat, choose options that are tender and easy to chew. Overly tough meats can put unnecessary strain on your braces, but softer meats can provide much-needed protein without the risk of damage.
- Examples:
- Chicken (shredded or cooked until soft)
- Fish
- Ground beef
Table: Foods to Avoid vs. Braces-Friendly Foods
| Foods to Avoid | Braces-Friendly Alternatives |
| Sticky Lollies (e.g., caramel, gummy bears) | Yogurt, pudding, soft fruits (bananas, berries) |
| Hard Lollies (e.g., jawbreakers, lollipops) | Soft cheeses, mashed potatoes, cooked vegetables |
| Popcorn (kernels) | Soft breads, tortillas |
| Ice cubes | Smoothies, milkshakes |
| Tough meats (e.g., steak) | Tender meats (e.g., chicken, fish) |
| Chips (especially crunchy) | Mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs |
| Tough pizza crusts | Soft breads or pizza without a hard crust |
| Hard nuts (e.g., almonds) | Nut butters (e.g., peanut butter) |
Maintaining Braces Care Through Diet
It’s essential to maintain good oral hygiene while wearing braces. Food can easily become trapped in your clear braces, and if it’s not removed promptly, it can lead to plaque buildup and cavities. To avoid these issues, make sure to:
- Brush your teeth after every meal to remove food particles from your braces.
- Floss daily using special flossers or a water flosser to ensure that food doesn’t get stuck between your brackets and wires.
- Use mouthwash to help keep your mouth fresh and reduce bacteria buildup around your braces.
- Visit your orthodontist regularly for check-ups and adjustments.
At Bella Dental, we understand the importance of your orthodontic journey, which is why we offer expert advice and care to guide you through every step. Our team is dedicated to helping you achieve a beautiful, healthy smile while ensuring your braces experience is as smooth and comfortable as possible. Whether you’re just starting your treatment or need guidance along the way, Bella Dental is here to provide exceptional care.
Read More: What Can You Eat with Braces? Aussie-Friendly Food Guide
Reference Section
- https://ada.org.au/policy-statement-2-2-2-diet-nutrition
- https://adan.ada.org.au/the-new-oral-health-consensus-statement
- https://www.aso.org.au/Web/Web/About-ASO/About-ASO.aspx
- https://ada.org.au/about/policies/national-oral-health
- https://adan.ada.org.au/getmedia/e090da6e-21f6-42fb-b985-df41be14738c/ADA_Guidelines_Infection-Control_Practical-Guide-To-Infection-Control.pdf
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Can I eat apples with braces?
While apples are healthy, it’s best to avoid biting into whole apples with braces. Instead, cut them into small, manageable pieces to prevent damage to your braces.
- What happens if I eat hard foods with braces?
Eating hard foods can lead to broken brackets, bent wires, or loose components, which may delay your treatment and require additional visits to the orthodontist for repairs.
- Can I drink soda with braces?
It’s best to limit sugary drinks, including sodas, as they can contribute to plaque buildup and tooth decay, especially around your brackets.
- How can I make sure my braces stay clean?
Brush after every meal, floss regularly, and use mouthwash to keep your braces clean and prevent food from getting stuck.
- Are there any special braces-friendly snacks?
Yes! Soft fruits, yogurt, smoothies, and tender meats are excellent options for snacks that won’t harm your braces.
- Can I eat pizza with braces?
You can enjoy pizza, but it’s best to avoid tough crusts. Opt for softer, thin-crust pizza or remove the crust altogether if it’s too hard
