Braces can accomplish amazing things. A crooked smile, misaligned teeth, and other aesthetic and practical problems which exist at the start of orthodontic treatment can all disappear by the time braces are removed. But braces aren’t magic; they are a complex system of tiny wires, rubber bands, and brackets specifically designed to do the hard work of moving teeth to where they should be. As strong and effective as metal braces are, however, they are also delicate and vulnerable to damage if not treated with care. This includes avoiding foods which could either break braces or interfere with their ability to do their job.
Foods to avoid with braces tend to fall into three big categories: hard, sticky, and chewy. Hard foods can break brackets and wires. Chewy and sticky foods can get caught between brackets and not only damage the hardware but also increase the chances of cavities and tooth decay since brushing and flossing may not be fully effective at removing hard to remove debris caught in brackets.
Help your braces help you by avoiding these foods
- Hard Foods
- Popcorn
- Nuts
- Hard taco shells
- Ice
- Chips
- Pretzels
- Hard cookies or crackers
- Corn on the cob
- Sticky and Chewy Foods
- Gum (both sugar-free and regular)
- Licorice
- Toffee
- Caramel
- Tootsie Rolls
- Starbursts
In addition to avoiding damaging foods, you should also try to cut foods into smaller pieces and adjust your chewing to use your back teeth more and front teeth less. If you tend to engage in unconscious habits like chewing on pens and such, focus your energy on finding alternatives to such behaviors.
Of course, while your teeth are being straightened, you want them to stay healthy as well. Braces don’t change your need to maintain good oral hygiene habits, but they can make doing so a bit more challenging. As such, you will want to make an extra effort to avoid cavity-causing foods and beverages.
Schedule a Miami Orthodontic Appointment Today
For more than 20 years, Assure A Smile has helped children and adults of all ages transform their smiles with effective orthodontic treatments like traditional metal braces, Invisalign invisible braces, and the all-new DNA Appliance®. For a personalized orthodontic consultation and treatment plan for you or your child, call Assure A Smile at 305-274-0047 or contact us online.
