Curious about what can’t you eat with braces? Discover the dos and don’ts of eating with braces and learn what foods to steer clear of to keep your orthodontic treatment on track.
If you have braces, you may be wondering what foods you can and can’t eat. Certain foods can damage your braces or get stuck in the wires and brackets, making it difficult to keep your teeth clean. In this guide, we’ll explore what you can’t eat with braces and provide tips for maintaining a healthy diet while undergoing orthodontic treatment. From sticky candy to hard nuts, learn what foods to avoid and discover alternative options that are safe for your braces.
Why Are Dietary Changes Needed With Braces?
Braces are an orthodontic treatment designed to align and straighten teeth, but they also require some adjustments to your dietary habits. These changes are necessary to prevent damage to your braces and ensure that your treatment progresses as planned. In this article, we will discuss the reasons why dietary changes are needed with braces.
To Protect Braces from Damage
One of the main reasons for dietary changes when wearing braces is to protect them from damage. Certain foods, such as hard candy, nuts, and sticky foods, can easily get caught in your braces or damage the wires and brackets, potentially extending your treatment time. You should also avoid chewing on objects like pens or pencils, as this can put unnecessary pressure on your braces.
Read more: Benefits of Keeping Wisdom Teeth
To Avoid Discomfort After Adjustments to Braces
After getting your braces adjusted, you may experience discomfort. To alleviate this, try eating soft foods and taking over-the-counter pain medication as directed by your orthodontist. Applying a warm compress to your jaw can also help to relieve any soreness or swelling.
To Reduce the Risk of Stained Teeth
Braces can also increase the risk of stained teeth, so it’s important to maintain good oral hygiene habits. Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss daily to remove any food particles that may get stuck in your braces.
To Change Chewing Technique
Wearing braces may require you to change your chewing technique. Instead of biting down on food with your front teeth, try using your back teeth to chew. This will help to distribute the pressure more evenly and reduce the risk of damaging your braces.By changing your diet and choosing soft foods that are easy to chew, you can change your chewing technique and make sure your braces go well.
Food That Can Be Eaten with Braces
Choosing the right foods to eat is very important to avoid damaging your teeth. Some good foods to eat when wearing dental braces include soft foods such as:
- Boiled meat, steamed fish, steamed eggs, soft bread and sandwiches.
- Spinach, tomatoes, carrots, potatoes, broccoli, cabbage, pumpkin, beets and onions.
- Banana, boiled apple, peach, kiwi, orange, grape, watermelon, mango and tangerine.
- Assorted soups, steamed mushrooms and porridge…
- This will help you keep your teeth in top condition and avoid having to visit the dentist too often.
Food That Should be Avoided with Braces
If you are wearing braces, there are certain foods that should be avoided to avoid damaging your band. Foods to avoid include things with a hard or sticky texture like gum, marshmallows, hard candies, and cookies. You should also avoid foods like nuts, popcorn, and dried meat, as they can damage your braces.
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Foods to avoid with braces in case of suffering from mouth ulcers and irritations
In case you have mouth ulcers and mouth irritation you should avoid certain foods that can cause pain and increase itching. These foods include things with a hard texture like:
- Apple, hard bread, dried meat and hard candy.
- Lollipops, marshmallows and sweet soft drinks…
What to eat during the first week of having braces?
When you first wear braces, you may have some difficulty eating for the first week. So, choosing the right foods to eat will help you easily get through the first stage of wearing a dental band.Here is a list of the foods you should eat during the first week of wearing braces:
- Soft foods: soup, porridge, soft bread, salmon, chicken, eggs and cheese…
- Soft fruits: banana, pineapple, kiwi, ripe apple, ripe mango, ripe pear and tangerine.
- Soft vegetables: tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, cabbage, beets and kale.
- Protein-rich foods: nuts, beans, peanuts, tenderloin and salmon.
- Foods rich in calcium: milk, cheese and yogurt.
- Drinking water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Top 3 questions people are most interested in during braces:
Is it better to eat hot or cold food to relieve pain from braces?
When you wear braces, eating cold foods may provide more pain relief than eating hot foods. Cold foods can reduce swelling and relieve pain.
Can you drink alcohol with braces?
Do not drink alcohol while wearing braces because it can cause damage to the brackets and other parts of the mouth. In addition, alcohol can dry out the mouth and cause oral health problems. If you want to drink, wait until you have your braces removed.
Can you chew gum with braces?
Do not chew gum while wearing braces because it can stick to the brackets and cause oral health problems. In addition, chewing gum can reduce the effectiveness of braces and prolong the time you have to wear braces. If you want fresh breath, use a sweet spray or sugar-free gum instead.
In conclusion
Retaining wisdom teeth can bring many benefits to your health and life. However, to decide if retaining wisdom teeth is right for you, you should discuss it with your dentist and complete the necessary examinations and diagnosis.
Dentist in Marysville | Dentist For Life is a top-notch dental clinic that offers a range of dental services to patients of all ages. With state-of-the-art technology and a team of highly qualified and experienced dentists, they provide comprehensive dental care that is tailored to meet the unique needs of each patient. From routine check-ups and cleanings to complex procedures like root canals and dental implants, Dentist in Marysville | Dentist For Life is dedicated to helping patients achieve optimal oral health and a beautiful smile that lasts a lifetime. With a focus on patient comfort and satisfaction, they go above and beyond to ensure that every visit is a positive and stress-free experience. If you’re looking for a reliable and compassionate dentist in Marysville, look no further than Dentist For Life.
