Everyone has their favorite meal. The thing is, choosing the right food becomes more complex when you have braces. Our Sturbridge Orthodontics team talks about diet with all of our patients, and an important aspect of that conversation involves foods to avoid with braces.
How Does Food Impact Your Braces?
One of your teeth’s main functions is chewing food, of course. When braces are present in the mouth, you’ll find that some foods are much easier to eat than others. Here is some general information from Dr. Sabelis about the relationship between food and braces:
- Damage Can Occur: Certain foods, particularly ones that are hard, sticky, or crunchy, can directly cause damage to the various components of your braces. These include the brackets attached to your teeth and the wires that connect them.
- Some Foods Cause Discomfort: Cold or acidic foods can be mildly painful for some patients since braces can enhance sensitivity. This is especially true in the period after Dr. Sabelis makes adjustments. Tough pieces of bread or meat can likewise be difficult to chew through.
- Sugar and Starch: Foods that are full of sugar or starches can feed bacteria in the mouth, leading to plaque that can be challenging to clean effectively around braces. Plaque can lead to cavities, white spots, and gum irritation if it isn’t addressed.
- Soft Foods for the Win: Generally speaking, soft and liquid foods will be friendly to your braces. These don’t have to make up your entire diet, but they’re the safest bet for eating without any hindrances. They don’t add any pressure to your braces or teeth, which makes them easier to consume.
- Some Foods are Good for Your Teeth: Ingredients and types of food matter. Calcium and phosphorus-rich foods include dairy products and leafy greens, which naturally strengthen your teeth and bones.
Foods to Avoid
When it comes to foods to avoid while you have braces, it’s easiest to categorize them based on textures and other characteristics. You’ll want to stay away from foods that are:
- Hard: Nuts, hard candies, baked pretzels, ice, whole apples, corn on the cob, and raw carrots.
- Sticky: Caramel, toffee, gummy candy, chewing gum, and taffy.
- Chewy: Bagels, pizza crust, tough proteins like jerky.
- Crunchy: Granola, popcorn, hard chips, and hard crackers.
- Acidic: Citrus fruits, certain coffee, soda, and pickled items.
Our team wants to acknowledge that it can be hard to let go of some of your most beloved snacks, foods, and beverages—but we live in an age that is more accommodating to diverse diets than ever before! You can get creative with flavors and similar textures in your cooking that can remind you of some of these foods without consuming them directly.
Foods to Indulge
At Sturbridge Orthodontics, we don’t want just to leave you with food to stay away from. Remember, you can still have a delicious and complex diet with braces. It can just require some creativity and thoughtfulness. Let’s go over some good foods to eat with your braces, as well as other tips for eating with braces.
- Soft Fruits: Dr. Sabelis recommends bananas, berries, grapes, kiwis, and melons when selecting raw fruit. You can also put harder fruits into a blender, make a smoothie, and add protein powder or other supplements for easy-to-consume nutritional value.
- Cooked Vegetables: If you want your fill of harder root vegetables, you can absolutely steam, stew, or roast them. This will soften carrots, squash, and potatoes and make them very easy to eat.
- Soft Grains and Breads: Rice can be a very versatile ingredient, as well as similar grains like quinoa and oats. Overnight oats are a popular breakfast solution that can be easy on braces and customized with almost any flavor, for example. Pancakes, soft tortillas, and soft breads can also be good options. Try to opt for whole grains when you can to add fiber.
- Soft Proteins: There are a wide variety of soft proteins available that won’t jeopardize your braces. Eggs in pretty much any form can be a great option. Flaky fish, tofu, soft-cooked chicken, ground beef, and beans are also excellent. You can dress and flavor these to your preference and still get the protein you need.
- Soups and Stews: Finally, get out that slow cooker! You can throw so many amazing ingredients into a hearty stew, chili, or soup. This is a warm, dynamic option that is perfect for colder weather and completely harmless to your braces.
The internet can be an incredible resource for braces-friendly recipes through personal blogs from friends with braces and other cooking websites. Go explore!
A Stellar Sampling
If you’re finding that diet is a difficult aspect of braces for you, you’re not alone. Dr. Sabelis is always available to provide you with resources if you’re in a tough spot. We hope to see you in our Sturbridge office soon.