You should avoid certain foods that could cause major damage to your braces. No matter what you eat, make the effort to cut your food into small pieces that can be chewed easily. This will prevent chunks of it from getting lodged between brackets.
Foods to Avoid When Wearing Braces
- Gum.
- Ice.
- Corn chips.
- Pretzels.
- Hard taco shells.
- Sticky and hard candy.
- Popcorn.
- Nuts.
Try to avoid biting into hard foods with your front teeth. When possible, cut up these hard foods into smaller pieces:
- Thin crust pizza
- Meat
- Burgers
- French/Italian bread
- Fruit
- Hard rolls
- Sub sandwiches
- Corn on the cob
- Raw vegetables
- Croutons
Recommended Foods When Wearing Braces
- Cheese
- Mashed potatoes
- Peanut butter and jelly
- Ravioli, spaghetti, macaroni and cheese, and other noodle dishes
- Bananas, grapes, oranges, strawberries, and other fruits without pits
- Hull-less popcorn
- Yogurt
- Light crackers or cookies
The appliances in your mouth are bound to attract food particles and make it easier for plaque to build up. By making sure you brush and floss carefully every day, you can prevent stains and cavities from developing over time. Dr. Carter and our team recommend brushing and making sure that food isn’t lodged between your braces after every meal.
Having braces can be very exciting, but it can also be challenging at first. Watching for these common issues during your first few weeks can prevent problems down the road. If you experience a lot of pain from your braces, contact one of our office and we can try to resolve any issues.
