There are many questions that may come up when first meeting your orthodontist and before the braces journey starts, but what about when you have accepted treatment and you are actually ready to get started?
Fast forward to your start day. Your braces are on, you just chose those o-tie colors you’ve been planning for weeks. Now what?
What Can I Eat?
The good news is that the most common foods you are used to eating every day are most likely just fine, but it is important to always be mindful before taking that first bite.
Here Are Some Soft Foods That Are Safe To Eat With Braces
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Sweets That Are Safe to Eat with Braces
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Foods That Are NOT Safe to Eat with Braces
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Sweets That Are NOT Safe to Eat with Braces
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*Note: If gummy vitamins are part of your normal routine, please continue, just use caution.*
Borderline Foods and Controversial Foods
Popcorn: Plain soft popcorn like Skinny Pop can be ok, but the issue is the shells. Hard, partially popped kernels can break braces. The flakes of shells tend to get stuck in braces and can lodge themselves underneath the gums causing discomfort and inflammation. Airy puffs like Pirate’s Booty are a better choice.
Chips: Most chips should be avoided. Corn tortilla chips can break braces and cause injury to gums when they get wedged between the brackets and wires. Takis will break braces for sure. Kettle cooked potato chips are also too crunchy. If you must have chips, plain Lays chips are OK. Pop Corners are a good alternative but they can also be pretty crunchy.
Bagels: Bagels are usually very chewy and have the ability to break braces and shift wires. If you are going to enjoy a bagel, rip it into very small pieces and chew with your back teeth. Do not bite into it.
Uncooked Fruits and Veggies: While very healthy, these may cause a lot of damage! Please cut them up in very small pieces and chew with your back teeth. DO NOT bite into an apple. Especially not a candy apple.
GUM: Guess what? Gum chewing can be ok! I ask that you avoid chewing gum for at least the first 6 months of the braces process. Gum can get tangled in light wires and cause unwanted wire bending and tooth movement. Once larger stainless steel wires are placed, gum chewing can actually be beneficial. If you are wearing elastics, chewing gum may help the elastics to do their job more effectively. There is also evidence that chewing gum can lessen the discomfort associated with orthodontic tooth movement. If you are interested to learn why, let me know!
Keep in mind these are not all-inclusive lists. Use your common sense! If the food makes a big CRUNCH sound or is very sticky, it is always better to avoid it.
What to Drink with Braces
By far, the best choice of beverage is plain water. Water helps clean food particles from your braces and keep you hydrated, which can lessen irritation.
The second best option is sugar-free flavored water if you need a little bit of variety.
All carbonated beverages, including seltzer, are acidic. Seltzer, club soda, and flavored carbonated water beverages may be nearly as acidic as soda. If you enjoy carbonated water, S. Pellegrino and Perrier are typically less acidic than traditional seltzer.
Sodas, energy drinks, and sports drinks are the most detrimental as they are the most acidic and contain the most sugar. This is a disastrous combination for tooth decay.
Don’t forget about juices! Pure juice as well as all juice drinks are acidic and contain tons of sugar. Unfortunately, fruit juice is not a healthy choice.
If you have one of these beverages as a treat, be sure to follow with plain water to reduce the acidity in your mouth. It really makes a big difference!
We’re Here to Help
Please don’t hesitate to ask questions throughout the process. We are here to help give you your best smile.