Having braces can be a great way to improve your smile and make your teeth look straight, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. One such challenge is choosing the right foods that won’t damage or irritate your braces. Eating certain types of food while wearing braces can cause pain and discomfort as well as increase the risk of damage to the wires and brackets. To ensure you don’t have any issues with your braces, it’s important to know which foods to avoid when you have them on. This article will discuss some of the common foods that should not be eaten when wearing braces to keep them in good condition and prevent any unnecessary pain or irritation.

Hard Foods

When you have braces, it is important to avoid certain types of food that can damage or dislodge the brackets and wires. One category of food to avoid is hard foods, which can cause the braces to break or loosen. Hard foods include items like nuts, hard candies, ice, popcorn, and raw vegetables. These foods require a lot of force to chew, which can put pressure on the braces and cause them to snap or come loose. If you are craving something crunchy, consider softer alternatives such as sliced fruit or steamed vegetables.

Moreover, biting into hard foods can cause your braces to become misaligned, leading to longer treatment times and additional orthodontic appointments. Even if you do not experience any immediate discomfort or damage from eating hard foods, it may create issues that you won’t notice until later.

Sticky and Chewy Foods

Sticky and chewy foods are a big no-no when it comes to eating with braces. These types of foods can easily get stuck in between your braces or pull off your brackets, causing discomfort and even damage to your braces. Examples of sticky and chewy foods to avoid include caramel, taffy, gummy candy, chewing gum, dried fruits, and chewy granola bars. These foods are notorious for getting tangled in your braces and causing trouble. It’s also a good idea to avoid crunchy foods such as popcorn, pretzels, and hard candy. These foods can easily break or dislodge your brackets or wires, causing you to have to make an emergency trip to the orthodontist.

Acidic and Sugary Foods

Acidic foods include citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits, as well as tomatoes, vinegar, and pickles. The acid in these foods can wear away at the enamel on your teeth, making them more vulnerable to decay. When you have braces, the acid can also cause damage to the brackets and wires, leading to costly repairs.

Sugary foods include candy, soda, and other sweet treats. These types of foods are particularly problematic because they provide a lot of fuel for the bacteria that live in your mouth. These bacteria then produce acid as a waste product, which can lead to tooth decay if not properly cleaned away. When you have braces, sugary foods can also get stuck in the brackets and wires, making it difficult to keep your teeth and braces clean.

In conclusion, it is important to be aware of which types of food should be avoided when wearing braces. With a little bit of effort, you can enjoy all sorts of delicious but safe meals even with your new orthodontic appliance.

Do you suspect that your child might have a serious bite issue? Dr. Sonneveld and his team are here for you! Don’t spend another day worrying about your child’s bite. Contact Sonneveld Orthodontics today. Click here to learn more and to request an appointment!