You have braces and you are on your way to a straight, beautiful smile. And, while you are excited for what the future holds, deep down you knew that getting braces would impact your life in certain ways. Not being able to eat certain foods is one of them.
Certain foods just don’t mix well with braces. They may cause damage and require adjustments and repairs – even causing delays in your treatment plan.
As disappointed as you may be, following your orthodontist’s recommendations and avoiding these damaging foods can lead to great results in the most timely manner.
So, what are the top 8 foods you should never eat with braces? Check them out.
1. Chewing Gum
For some, chewing gum may be a habit. But when it comes to chewing gum and wearing braces – the gum has to go. Regardless of whether it is sugar-free or not, it can get stuck in the brackets, wires, and even rubber bands. It may even cause flexible wires to bend. It’s a definite no-go.
2. Ice
Chomping on ice is something many love to do after the last sip of a drink is gone. Unfortunately, if you have braces, you need to just leave that ice to melt. Eating ice can cause your braces to break and bend — resulting in damage that can’t be repaired.
3. Hard Candy
Hard candy may taste good, but it can wreak havoc on your braces. No matter how much you tell yourself that you will just allow it to melt in your mouth, the urge to bite down is always there – so just avoid it.
4. Popcorn
You may be enjoying a nice bowl of popcorn at the movies with your family, but the hulls are finding their way into all the crevices of your teeth, and that one random hard kernel is just waiting for you to bite down. It only takes one to damage your braces.
5. Nuts
Although nuts are a good option for your health, they are a terrible option for your braces. This is especially the case when it comes to hard nuts like walnuts, almonds, brazil nuts, and cashews.
6. Hard Fruits and Vegetables
Other great options for your health, some fruits and vegetables can be damaging to your braces because they are hard. For instance, raw carrots and celery or biting into an apple. Don’t remove these healthy foods from your diet while you have braces, but cut them into small, bite-sized pieces so that they can be eaten carefully.
7. Meats
If you consume meat as part of your diet, then you need to do so with caution. It can easily make its way in between your teeth and get stuck in your braces. But it can also be tough to chew. As a result, the bands around your molars may loosen. Opting for meat like chicken wings or ribs and eating it off the bone increases your risk of popping off a front bracket.
Stick to lean meats, remove it from the bone, and also cut and chew small pieces.
8. Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is delicious and may even be a staple in your life. Unfortunately, with braces, the stickiness of peanut butter can get caught in your braces, can tug on them, and make cleaning a nightmare. Just avoid it as much as possible.
So, What Can You Eat?
You want to take precautions with your braces which means eating foods that will not risk damaging them. Eat foods that are soft, not sticky, and chopped-up versions of some of your favorite foods.
If you aren’t sure, you can always ask your orthodontist.
Braces at Lake Minnetonka Orthodontics
Do you need braces? Do you think you may need braces? If you are looking to straighten your smile and better your oral health, Lake Minnetonka Orthodontics can help. And, we offer 3 convenient locations for you!
Contact us today for a complimentary consultation!
Minnetonka: 952-938-1443
Excelsior: 952-474-0288
Wayzata: 952-473-1993