Safe foods for eating with braces
Getting braces is an extremely exciting time, but braces are only effective when you care for them properly, which includes knowing what foods are safe to eat with braces and what foods to avoid.
Foods to eat with braces
The best foods to eat with braces are low in sugar and do not require excessive chewing, including:
- Complex carbohydrates such as bread, mashed potatoes, rice, pasta, pancakes
- Soft and hearty foods like soup and stews
- Dairy foods like cheese, yoghurt and smoothies
- Fruits and vegetables cooked until soft or cut/grated into bite-sized pieces
- Meat, poultry, fish and protein-rich foods cooked until soft or tender
Foods for first week of braces
During the first week of getting braces as your mouth adjusts, it’s normal to feel some discomfort. Soft foods such as yoghurt, boiled vegetables, soft meats, stewed fruit and thin soups are recommended to avoid putting additional pressure on your teeth, which may be feeling sensitive and tender.
Foods to avoid with braces
Anyone who wears fixed braces should avoid excessive snacking and should aim to eat a healthy and balanced diet. Foods to avoid with braces include…
- Chewy foods such as lollies and liquorice
- Crunchy foods such as chips and popcorn
- Sticky foods such as caramel, bubble gum and chewy chocolate bars (e.g. Snickers)
- Hard food such as nuts and pretzels
- Foods that you need to bite into forcefully such as whole apples, raw carrots, corn on the cob
- Sugary foods such as lollies, boiled sweets
- Sweet drinks such as fruit juice, cordial, soft drinks and energy drinks
What happens if you eat the wrong foods?
Eating the wrong foods can cause some discomfort and put you at risk of breaking your brackets or wires, requiring unscheduled trips to your orthodontist to fix. It may also increase your total treatment time.
If you frequently eat foods that can get stuck in your braces or are high in sugar content you can cause lasting damage to your teeth. Trapped food creates an environment that encourages plaque and bacteria to thrive whilst sugary foods can result in cavities.
General pointers on looking after your mouth and braces
Regardless of what types of foods you eat with braces, it is important to keep the crevices between the teeth and around the braces very clean. That means brushing and flossing at least twice each day. Not clearing trapped food promotes bacteria which can cause damage to the teeth and gums, or result in permanent discolouration.
To ensure the best results from your fixed braces, follow this advice about safe foods for braces and always ask your Clear Choice orthodontist if you have any questions or concerns.
Your smile is unique...
…so your treatment will be as well.
Your local Orthodontist has extensive knowledge on how to best care for your braces and which foods are best.
So click the link below to find your nearest Clear Choice Orthodontist and get ready for your new smile.
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they then study for an additional 3 years
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