Foods You Can and Can’t Eat With Braces

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After visiting your orthodontist and getting your braces done for the first time there might be many thoughts going in your head. The most important question you might be thinking is what you can and can’t eat. 

Well to your concern, it comes with a little bit of a new dietary plan that will protect your orthodontic investment and benefit you and your teeth so you may eat pain-free. Read the article till the end to know more about it.

Food You Can’t EatFood You Can Eat
Hard Crunchy Foods
Sticky Chewy Foods
Hard Cooked Meat
Sugary Foods and Drinks
Soft Fruits and Vegetables
Dairy Products
Soft Grains
Soup and Smoothies

The Food You Can’t Eat with Braces

All the food that is hard on your teeth should be avoided. You can even have a look at the items below that you need to avoid.

Hard and Crunchy Foods

Avoid hard foods like Nuts, Popcorn, Candies, Hard Meat, Raw Vegetables, Hard Bread, etc. These can result in breaking of your braces or getting stuck in your wire, causing you pain and discomfort. It’s highly recommended to avoid it at initial levels after having braces done.

Sticky Chewy Foods

Sticky and chewy food can create a great mess and pain once it sticks to your teeth and you try to open up your mouth again Foods like Caramel, Gum, Chewy Candies are a Big No, especially the sticky ones. Avoid it especially, in the first week of your braces as much as you can.

Hard Cooked Meats

Hard Meat can give a tough time even to people with no braces think how hard time will it give to the people with braces. It simply sticks up between your teeth and even in your braces leaving you in distress simply avoid it.

Sugary Foods and Drinks

Sugary foods and drinks like Soda, Candy, Sweets, Crisps, and Fast Food can lead you to serious tooth decay, by building up the plaques, chances are high, especially for people with braces. 

Note: These Foods must be avoided continuously to prevent any braces damage.

The Food You Can Eat with Braces

To make it easy for you I have listed below some common, useful and not to forget delicious foods that you can have with your braces.

Soft Fruits and Vegetables

Soft fruits like Bananas, Avocados, Raspberries, Cranberry, Kiwi, etc are soft and gentle on your braces which is emphasized to eat after having your braces newly fit. For vegetables, you can use cooked and steamed options like Carrots, Peas, Spinach, Potato, etc which are easier to chew.

Dairy Products

Milkshakes, Milk, Ice-creams, Custurds, Yogurt, Cheese, Butter, Cream, Cream Cheese, etc can be eaten as they are rich in calcium and probiotics which are good for your bones as well as teeth and can even provide soothing to your painful teeth.

Soft Grains

Soft grains are also the best option to go with. Including oatmeal, rice, quinoa, Egg Noodles, Fettuccine, Macaroni, with or without cheese, Spaghetti, and sauce try having some light sauces to avoid inflammation sensation.

Soups and Smoothies

Chicken or Meat soups can be best for healing your pain as it even lessen the pain. For more, you can have smoothies if you want something cold and chill with a blend of fruits and vegetables.

People with Specific Dietary Restrictions

If you are vegetarian or have any food allergies I can guide you on what options you have for your specific needs.

Vegetarians

Vegetarians can have soft, plant-based proteins such as tofu, tempeh, legumes, Carrots, Peas, Spinach, and Potato. You can either cook it or steam it for eating.

Food Allergies

If you have a Food Allergy you must take care before eating. If you have an allergy to dairy products you can opt for lactose-free and plant-based food. 

Age-Specific Awareness and Concerns

If you are a parent you need to be aware and take care of your children by following the care given below.

ChildrenTeenagersAdults
Children with braces don’t have much idea and can hurt themselves. It’s best to teach them how and what should they do in emergencies.If you are a Teenager you are responsible enough to take care of yourself. Avoid using cigarettes and tobacco and eat food that\’s soft for your teeth and braces.For adults, it’s recommended to take care of yourselves and your braces. To avoid any problem.

Types of Braces

There are many braces out there only your doctor can tell which fits you best below are 4 types of braces.

Traditional Metal Braces

The most common type of braces is made of high-quality stainless steel. It consists of metal brackets and wires.

Ceramic Braces 

It is made of clear or tooth-colored ceramic and visually it doesn\’t look like metal braces. It is similar in size and shape to traditional metal braces

Lingual Braces

Lingual Braces are made customized differing each mouth. It’s fitted while placing it on the inside of teeth which cannot be seen easily.

Clear Aligners (Invisalign)

Just like Lingual Braces Clear Aligners are also made customized. It’s not visible once placed. The hassle about this brace is that it requires a new set of aligners every few Weeks.

Emergency Situations

For awareness purposes, you should know what to do if brackets come to loose or wire breaks due to damage.

See the Damage: Try checking if your bracket is detached or if the wire is poking into your cheek or gums.

Use Orthodontic Wax: Use orthodontic wax to cover the sharp ends of the wire which has been damaged,

Avoid Hard Foods: Avoid hard food until and unless the problem is resolved. Try using soft foods and liquids.

Temporary Fixes: Gently push a loose bracket back if it\’s still attached to the wire. Until you visit an orthodontist.

Visit Your Orthodontist: Visit your doctor and fix your braces problem.

Tips for Eating with Braces

Below are some tips to eat while having your braces on to make your eating affective.

  • Cut larger pieces of food into smaller pieces.
  • Chew Slowly
  • Maintain Good Oral-Hygiene
  • Eat Food that’s gentle for your teeth and is easy to chew

Conclusion

By following the guidelines above you’ll have less tension and more awareness you will be more careful with your braces. As it helps you in building shape. For more information, you can head to Kidsgrove Dental and Implant Center.

FAQ’S 

Q1 Can I Chew Gum with braces? 

No, you can’t as it can result in a problem by sticking up on your braces.

Q2 Is it okay to eat ice cream with braces? 

Yes, You can have an ice cream as it helps in soothing the pain. But Excess of everything could be bad for you.

Q3 What kind of snacks are braces-friendly? 

Snacks like yogurt, applesauce, soft fruits, jam, cream cheese, honey, and butter, etc are some snacks that are braces-friendly.

Q4 What should I do if my bracket comes loose? 

 Adjust it gently until you see your orthodontist and cover the sharp areas with orthodontic wax to prevent harm.

Q5  How can I relieve discomfort from a broken wire? 

Firstly immediately use orthodontic wax to cover the sharp ends of the wire. Secondly, contact your doctor as soon as possible. 

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