Starting braces treatment is exciting. While you may be anticipating the final reveal of your beautiful smile, you will need to follow some careful precautions while wearing braces. Even some tiny lifestyle adjustments will make a big difference in your braces treatment.
One of the most common questions that patients ask is, “What can you eat with braces?” And that answer will vary depending on which appliance you choose.
Below, we’ve created this list of foods you can eat with braces, as well as some more information about how to take care of your braces during treatment.
Why Should You Avoid Certain Foods With Braces?
Every patient will experience occasional periods of oral sensitivity during treatment. During these periods, it is wise to avoid certain foods that may increase irritation.
While your braces are incredibly durable, they still have delicate components and hardware that can break down over time. Choosing certain foods can hurt your appliance and even undo the work your braces are doing.
What Not to Eat with Braces
So, why should you avoid certain food options with braces?
The answer is: extra crunchy, dense, or sticky foods can break brackets. Avoiding these foods is essential to a lasting smile.
Dental complications derail your treatment time and make it difficult to complete your treatment on schedule. Candy, sugary drinks, or sweets can cause plaque to build up, leading to cavities. The occasional sweet is okay, but constantly indulging is not a good idea.
Here are some of the foods you should avoid with braces:
- Chips
- Hard bread, bagels, etc.
- Popcorn
- Pizza crust
- Crunchy vegetables
- Soft drinks
- Hard or sticky candy
- Almonds, peanuts, cashews
Knowing what not to eat with braces is crucial for achieving your best results in treatment. Following these guidelines will help you keep your treatment time on track.
What You Can Eat with Braces
Well, what can you eat with braces? Soft and smooth foods are smart choices that will help your treatment. Here are some food choices you can make to improve your braces results.
Here is a list of foods you can eat with braces:
- Softer vegetables
- Soft bread like tortillas
- Lean meats like grilled chicken or deli meat
- Certain dairy such as soft cheese, pudding, and yogurt
- Fruit like grapes, strawberries, or bananas.
- Mashed potatoes, soft vegetables
Your food should be in manageable chunks. Cubing or cutting your food into smaller portions can reduce the strain that food puts on your appliance. Try to bite food with your front teeth and use every part of your mouth while chewing.
Lastly, be careful with cold drinks as they can trigger discomfort.
Knowing What Not to Eat with Braces
Taking care of your braces is the best way to ensure your treatment is as smooth as possible. While giving up your favorite foods can be challenging, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.
Of course, the quality of your results depends on who you choose for treatment. Drs. DiCiccio, Freeman, and Park have a reputation for crafting flawless smiles for people throughout the Fresno and Clovis communities.
Our doctor will be your partner throughout treatment. We will explain what not to eat with braces and help you achieve the smile of your dreams.
Get started by scheduling an in-person or virtual consultation now.