When you get dental braces, you probably have a lot of questions and much anxiety about it. On the other hand, you are also probably extremely excited about how your smile will look after your treatment. We are not going to lie – we are also excited for you! We know how exciting but also stressful it can be to get dental braces. However, if you take good care of them, you will be very satisfied with your results.
One way you can help prevent any complications from occurring when you wear braces is to be careful about your diet while using them. We here at First Impressions Orthodontics for Children & Adults advise that you abstain from certain foods while wearing braces to help keep unwanted problems from arising.
Foods to Avoid While Wearing Dental Braces
Nobody likes being told what they can or cannot eat, but please understand that we are making these recommendations because we care about you and we want you to be happy with your results. Certain foods can be problematic when wearing braces, as they can damage the braces or be a challenge to remove if they get stuck. By avoiding these specific types of foods, you will be much happier in the long run.
First and foremost, you must stay away from sticky, gummy foods. Not only can they coat your teeth and increase your risk of tooth decay, but they will also tug on your braces and your wires and may make them snap. On that note, we also want you to stay away from soft drinks, coffee, and fruit juices. Not only can these drinks lead to tooth decay, but they can also stain your teeth and your braces. Avoid chewing gum, too, for that same reason. It can cling and stick to your braces, leading to quite the mess. Chewy food (like fruit leather and beef jerky) need to be avoided, too.
What You Can Eat
While fruits and vegetables are good for you, we advise that you stay away from certain raw fruits and veggies. That is because they are hard and can damage your braces. If you want to keep eating foods like apples or carrots, you can include them in your diet, but make sure you cut them into bite-sized pieces first or cook them (to soften them up) before eating them.
You also want to avoid other hard types of foods like hard candies, nuts, and even ice cubes. Stay away from corn on the cob, too, and if you like to eat popcorn while watching movies, we have bad news for you. The kernels can get trapped in your braces, so you will need to avoid popcorn, too.
Good foods to eat while wearing braces include soft foods like yogurt and mashed potatoes. You can also eat as much soup as you want, and soft bread are still on the menu. You can enjoy soft fruits and vegetables like avocado, bananas, and strawberries, too. Pasta and even cheese are okay, as well.
If you are interested in learning more about what you can or cannot eat while braces, or you are ready to set up an appointment with us here at First Impressions Orthodontics for Children & Adults, please give us a call today at (203) 292-9595!