[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]You’ve got your braces, and you’re on your way to the smile of your dreams! That’s a great thing, but there are a few things to remember along the way. There are ways to damage your braces, leading to higher costs and a delay in your treatment. You don’t want to wear your braces even longer, right? One of the best ways to keep your braces safe is to avoid certain foods.
Food restrictions aren’t fun, but they are meant to keep your braces from being damaged during treatment and slowing that treatment down. The thing to keep in mind is that these restrictions are TEMPORARY. Once your braces are removed, you’re free to enjoy your favorites again.
Until then, here are a few rules to follow so you don’t end up with broken wires or brackets. [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
Don’t Eat This!
There are good reasons to avoid certain foods during braces. Whether metal or clear, your braces are somewhat fragile, and some foods can loosen or break your wires or brackets. When that happens, it means you have to come in for emergency repairs. Frequent repairs can add cost to your treatment.
That’s why it’s best to avoid that scenario, and the best way to do that is to avoid certain foods. Here’s the list of no-nos:
- Chewy foods — bagels, licorice, taffy, “hand-tossed” pizza crust, gummy bears or “gummy” anything, jerky
- Crunchy foods — popcorn, tortilla chips, ice, hard cookies
- Sticky foods — gum, caramel candies, certain snack bars
- Hard foods — nuts, hard candies, sunflower and pumpkins seeds
- Foods that require front bite — apples, carrots, corn on the cob, pears (whole), peaches (whole)
That’s not too bad, right? Some of these can be considered “junk food.” So if you think about it, you might eat a little healthier with your braces, and you might want to keep it up once they’re off! [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][rd_images_gallery images=”3131,3420,3557″ size=”400×400″ column=”ig_col_3″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Eat This With Caution
Other foods can be eaten with extreme caution. In many cases, breaking them up into small bites works best. In other cases, choosing alternatives works better.
Here’s what we mean:
- Pizza – Soft crust only, such as deep dish. Hand-tossed or thin may be too hard and could damage wires and brackets. Better still, ditch the crust.
- Fruits – Eat small pieces, bite-sized, without the skin. Try applesauce instead of apples; small bites of pears or peaches are OK. Be careful of strawberries. The seeds can get stuck in your braces!
- Oatmeal – Raw oatmeal can damage braces, such as what you find in snack bars, but soft, cooked oatmeal is fine. It can even soothe a sore mouth right after braces are put on teeth.
- BBQ or cooked meats – Don’t eat meat off the bone because the bone could knock off a bracket. Cut the meat into small bites and chew carefully.
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Enjoy These Foods!
So now you know all the things you CAN’T eat. What about the things you CAN eat with braces?
The good news is, there’s a long list! Here are some favorites.
- Dairy — soft cheese, pudding, milk-based drinks like milkshakes, protein shakes
- Soft bread — soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins (no nuts)
- Grains — cooked pasta, soft-cooked rice
- Meats/poultry — soft-cooked chicken, meatballs, lunch meats, hot dogs
- Seafood — tuna, salmon, crab cakes, lobster
- Vegetables — mashed potatoes, steamed spinach, beans, cooked squash/zucchini
- Fruit — applesauce, bananas, fruit juices
- Soft treats — ice cream (no nuts), smoothies, Jell-O, soft cake, soft cookies
As you can see, you still have LOTS of choices when it comes to foods you can eat with braces. Bon appetit! [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Taking Care of Your Braces
Taking care of your braces goes beyond just eating the right foods. It also means keeping your braces and teeth clean and making sure any damage is repaired quickly. You have to keep good oral hygiene habits throughout your treatment to achieve that perfect smile.
Be sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day, though brushing after every meal is ideal. Don’t forget to floss as well! It may seem tricky at first, but there are floss threaders available to help you get around your braces.
If you do damage your braces, Kanning Orthodontics is available to help. You can call us to schedule an appointment, and we’ll get you in as soon as possible to make any repairs necessary. You can also contact us if you have questions about your braces and how to care for them properly. We have offices in Kansas City, MO, and Liberty, MO. We’re here to help![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
