7 Foods to Avoid With Braces

Did you know that maintaining good oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment is essential for a beautiful smile? When undergoing orthodontic treatment , such as wearing braces, it’s important to be mindful of the foods you consume to maintain the efficiency of the treatment and avoid potential issues. Eating certain foods can potentially hamper the treatment or cause harm to the braces.

That’s why knowing and adapting our diet during the orthodontic treatment period is essential to ensuring the success of the treatment and the longevity of the braces. This includes being cautious around the types of foods you intake and asking yourself, “What foods can you not eat with braces?”

Why Do Your Food Choices Matter with Braces?

Your food choices greatly impact your braces and oral health. Consuming hard, crunchy, and sticky foods—which are included in the category of what you can’t eat with braces—can cause damage to the braces components, leading to unnecessary visits to the orthodontist for repairs.

Excessive sugar can also stick to your braces, accelerating tooth decay and gum disease. Thus, making informed and careful food choices is essential when you’re wearing braces. 

What Can You Not Eat With Braces?

1. Crunchy Foods

Crunchy snacks like potato chips, popcorn, and taco shells top the list of foods to avoid when you have braces. These can exert excessive pressure on both metal and ceramic braces, potentially causing damage. The crisp pizza crust, touted for its crunch, also belongs to this category. These foods can crack, bend, or break your braces and, thus, should be excluded from your diet to decrease the chances of damaging your braces and prolonging treatment time.

2. Sticky Foods

Sticky and chewy foods such as gum and candies, as well as viscous foods like caramel, can pose a problem for those with braces. These tend to get trapped in your braces, causing food particles and food debris to stick and make cleaning difficult. This increases the risk of plaque build-up and tooth decay if not properly removed.

3. Hard Foods

Eating tough meat and raw vegetables can put a great strain on your braces. Conversely, consuming cooked vegetables and mashed potatoes, with their soft consistency, is a wiser and gentler alternative. It’s also important to know that biting down on ice cubes and hard candies can lead to discomfort and potential bracket or wire breakage—even with sturdy ceramic braces.

4. Sugary Foods

Regarding the types of food that brace wearers need to be mindful of, sugary foods like candy, baked goods, and soda take a similar stance to even sticky foods. The sugar in these foods can lead to tooth decay, and braces can trap these food particles, heightening the risk of cavities. Even cold food items, like ice cream, although soft, bear the same concern due to their high sugar content.

5. Corn On the Cob

Citrus foods, similarly to corn on the cob, are difficult to eat with braces because they require biting straight into a hard item with your front teeth. This could dislodge your brackets. To protect your braces, cut the corn (or the fruit, in the case of citrus) off the cob before eating to avoid unnecessary pressure.

6. Hard Bread

Hard breads, such as bagels and crunchy pizza crusts, also pose a danger to braces due to their hardness. These could apply too much pressure on the brackets and wires when bitten directly, possibly leading to breaks. Consider cutting the bread into bite-sized slices and chewing with your back teeth for a safer dining experience.

7. Spicy Foods

While not necessarily damaging to your braces, spicy foods might cause discomfort, particularly if you’ve recently had your braces tightened. As such, they should be eaten with caution. If you notice discomfort, it’s best to stick with soft and mild foods until the sensation subsides.

What Can You Eat With Braces?

• Soft fruits. Regarding soft foods that are braces-friendly, soft fruits like bananas, grapes, and strawberries are the ideal choice. Not only are these easy to eat and non-damaging for your orthodontic appliance, but they also provide nutrients beneficial for oral health. Keep in mind, though, that you should avoid raw fruits that are hard or require biting directly into, like apples, as these could harm your braces.
• Cooked Vegetables.  While raw and crunchy vegetables such as carrots or radishes can strain your braces, cooking these makes them soft and easier to chew. This is the perfect way to get the vitamins and minerals necessary for healthy teeth and gums without straining your orthodontic appliance.
• Dairy Products. Soft cheese, milk, and yogurt are among the soft foods that are rich in calcium, strengthening your teeth and bones. However, you should be careful to avoid hard or sticky cheeses that could get caught in your braces.
• Soft Proteins.  Certain cuts of meat like tender chicken, seafood, and tofu offer the necessary protein without straining your braces. These soft proteins are essential for maintaining a balanced diet when wearing braces. Just make sure these are well-cooked and served in bite-sized pieces to make it easier on your orthodontic appliance.
• Whole Grains. Whole grain foods such as pasta, rice, and soft bread are gentle on braces and provide carbohydrates for energy. If you love bread, just avoid those with hard crusts, which can damage your orthodontic appliance.
• Mild Desserts. For those sweet cravings, there are a variety of soft foods you can enjoy. Mild desserts like ice cream, pudding, or jelly are perfectly okay as an occasional treat. However, it’s vital to make sure they are not loaded with sugars to avoid damaging your teeth.
• Smoothies. Smoothies provide an easy, soft food formula for those wearing braces. They’re an excellent source of various nutrients and can be whipped up using a mix of soft fruits, vegetables, and yogurt to create a healthy, braces-friendly meal.

Learn the Key to Successful Orthodontic Treatment: Foods to Avoid With Braces

Being mindful of the foods you eat, especially knowing what food you can not eat with braces, and practicing good oral hygiene are key components of successful orthodontic treatment. By avoiding crunchy, sticky, and hard foods and opting for soft and braces-friendly alternatives, you can protect your braces and maintain a healthy smile throughout your treatment. Remember, your oral health plays a significant role in achieving that perfect smile you deserve.

Consistency in following these guidelines can significantly impact your treatment time and oral health. If you have any questions or concerns about your dietary choices during braces treatment , don’t hesitate to consult with a reliable dentist for tailored advice and recommendations.

For personalized orthodontic care and guidance, contact Hello Family Dental and let our experienced team help you achieve a beautiful and healthy smile.