In this blog, we’ll look at foods to avoid with braces. Your treatment can be more comfortable and stay on track by avoiding these foods. Plus, you can avoid emergency visits due to a broken wire or loose bracket.
At first, it might seem challenging to know what to avoid. However, there’s an easy way to determine if a food is likely to damage braces. We’ll look at the easy way to know. Before long, you’ll automatically know what to avoid and which foods are your favorites.
Remember, by sticking to the general rules; your treatment goes faster. Then, you can begin enjoying the foods you missed again with a perfect new smile to show for it.
The Easy Way to Know Which Foods to Avoid with Braces
Here’s the easy way to know which foods avoid with braces.
Before you eat, does the food fit into one of these categories?
- Chewy
- Crunchy
- Hard
- Staining
- Sticky
- Sugary
As you might guess, chewy, crunchy, hard, or sticky foods are more likely to damage braces. Bits of the food can get stuck around wires and brackets. In general, it’s better to choose softer foods that are easy to chew.
Notably, some foods are hard until cooked. For example, it’s better to avoid raw carrots and whole apples. However, when they are sliced into small pieces or cooked, they are soft and safer. Other foods have hard parts, such as popcorn. These hard bits can get stuck in your braces.
Sugary Foods and Drinks
Generally, it’s a good idea to limit sugary foods and drinks. So, that remains true and becomes more important while undergoing treatment. Unfortunately, sugar creates a film on teeth that can lead to tooth decay.
With braces, it can be harder to clean around your teeth. So, it’s a good idea to limit sugary treats. However, you don’t have to avoid them entirely as long as they are soft and easy to chew.
Below, it’s a good idea to limit sugary drinks like these:
- Acidic liquids
- Energy drinks
- Flavored water
- Fruit drinks
- Sodas (including diet)
- Sports drinks
Next, we’ll look closer at foods that stain. If you wear clear braces, you want to avoid discoloring your brackets. The same applies to clear Invisalign aligners, but they can be taken out while you eat.
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Some Foods May Stain Braces
Although braces are resistant to stains, some foods can stain them over time, particularly clear brackets. Thus, it’s a good idea to limit or avoid them to help make your treatment discreet.
Staining foods and drinks (not a complete list):
- Balsamic vinegar
- Beer
- Beets
- Berries
- Coffee
- Currants
- Curry
- Food colorings
- Grape juice
- Mustard
- Red wine
- Soy Sauce
- Tea
- Tomatoes
Now, an easy way to know if a food will stain is to ask, “Will this food probably stain my clothes?” If so, then it might be one to limit. If you enjoy one of these beverages, rinsing and brushing afterward may help prevent stains.
Foods to Temporarily Avoid
Right after your braces go on, your teeth and mouth will be more sensitive than usual. The sensitivity is temporary, and during this time, it may be better to avoid these foods:
- Citrus and spicy foods
- Thick bread and cuts of meat
- Ice cream (if cold-sensitive)
After a couple of weeks, you will adjust to braces to the extent that you may start enjoying these foods again. However, it’s different for individuals. Thus, some people might enjoy ice cream without a problem, while others are more sensitive for a time.
We hope this information about foods to avoid with braces is helpful. Remember, soon, your braces will come off, and you can enjoy your favorites again. Best of all, you’ll have a perfect smile to enjoy for a lifetime.
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