Having a beautiful smile is one of your best assets, and braces can help you get there. However, you will need to make some dietary changes while wearing orthodontics. Brackets and cables can be bent or broken by hard or sticky foods. It’s important to keep your teeth in good shape during orthodontic treatment, so it’s helpful to know what can you eat with braces. Here we’ll go over the foods that are safe to consume while wearing braces and provide some advice on how to keep your teeth clean while getting orthodontic work done.
Foods to Avoid
- If you’re wearing braces, you should be careful about what you put in your mouth so that you don’t break the frames, wires, or bands. Some items to avoid while sporting metal brackets and wires are listed below.
- Foods like gum, caramel, toffee, and gummy sweets are renowned for getting caught in braces and making it difficult to clean your teeth. Because of the force exerted by their stickiness, these foods can damage or dislodge your brackets and wires. Be careful to brush your teeth right after eating anything sticky or chewy.
- Your wires and brackets are vulnerable to damage from hard foods like nuts, popcorn kernels, and hard sweets. If your brackets or wires come free or shatter because you bit down on something hard, your treatment time will be extended. consume soft foods as much as possible, and if you must consume something hard, cut it up into small pieces and chew it thoroughly.
- Avoid eating crunchy foods like chips and pretzels while you’re wearing dentures because they can get stuck and cause pain. If you bite down too firmly on these foods, you risk breaking your brackets or wires. It’s important to thoroughly floss and rinse your mouth with water after eating crunchy foods to get rid of any food debris that may have gotten caught in your teeth.
- Tooth decay, which can be caused by sugary foods and beverages, can be harmful to your teeth and gums. Sugary foods and beverages, such as soda, sweets, and pastries, should be avoided when wearing braces. Be sure to brush your teeth and rinse your lips with water after indulging in sugary foods.
- The enamel on your teeth is easily worn down by acidic foods and drinks like citrus fruits and sodas, which can also harm your braces. The acid in these beverages and meals can also weaken tooth enamel and increase tooth sensitivity. Make sure to rinse your tongue out with water after eating or drinking anything acidic.
Foods You Can Eat
- Foods that are soft and won’t harm your braces include bananas, berries, cooked carrots, and avocados. Smoothies and pureed fruits and veggies are two options for increasing one’s intake of healthy foods.
- Calcium, which helps build robust teeth and bones, is abundant in dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese. The soft texture and low difficulty of chewing make these foods perfect for individuals wearing braces.
- Oatmeal, pasta, and rice are examples of soft grains that are both braces-friendly and simple to chew. If you’re looking to spice up your diet, consider a soft grain like quinoa or couscous.
- To avoid breaking your braces, stick to soft meats like poultry, fish, and tender cuts of beef. Tough or chewy meats can cause harm to your braces and wires because of how much you’ll have to chew them.
- White bread and tacos are two examples that are both brace-friendly and simple to chew. To spice up your diet, experiment with different kinds of soft flatbread like pita, naan, or tortillas.
- Easy to chew and nutrient-rich, soups and stews are excellent choices for individuals wearing braces. You can also puree soups to make them easier to consume.
Tips for Maintaining Good Oral Hygiene
Brush and Floss Regularly
Maintaining proper oral health while sporting braces requires consistent brushing and flossing. Brush your teeth twice a day with a gentle bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Start at the gum line and use circular movements to brush up and down each tooth. To scrub in between your teeth and braces, use a floss threader or an interdental brush.
Use Mouthwash
Mouthwash has antibacterial properties and can help eliminate bad odors. Please use a braces-friendly rinse that does not contain alcohol. After brushing and flossing, you can clean the hard-to-reach parts of your teeth by rinsing with mouthwash.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Visiting the dentist regularly allows for the early detection of any issues with your mouth health. Your orthodontist can also give you tips on how to keep your teeth clean while you have braces on.
Wear a Mouthguard
Wearing a mouthguard can prevent injury to your orthodontics and teeth while you play sports. If you wear braces, a mouthguard can protect them from being pushed out of place or broken while you play sports.
Use Orthodontic Wax
Using orthodontic wax can lessen the irritation from wearing braces. A small quantity of wax applied to the area where brackets or wires are rubbing can prevent further irritation to the lips and cheeks.
Be Mindful of What You Eat
When wearing braces, it is essential to be mindful of the foods you consume. Pick foods that are soft and simple to chew so that your braces and teeth don’t get damaged or dirty. Sticky, chewy, or hard meals are the worst for your braces, so try to avoid them.
Conclusion
Foods that are hard, sticky, or crunchy should be avoided in favor of gentler options, and you should always take the time to fully clean your teeth and braces after eating. With a little effort and ingenuity, you can make your orthodontic journey a pleasant and tasty experience. Now that you know how to best care for your braces and your dental health, you can sit back and enjoy your meals without worry. Have you been trying to find a simple solution to fix the way your teeth look? Boston Braces may straighten your teeth in as little as six months if you reside in or near Boston.
