Everyone wants a good smile, right? As actor James Franco said, “When I was a child, I wanted to be an actor, but I had really bad buckteeth. I didn’t want to get braces, but my mom said I couldn’t be an actor if I didn’t get the braces. So, I got the braces.”
Whatever the motivation, (and there are many good reasons to get braces) someone may feel like they might not eat normally again. But, fear not. Even though there are foods to avoid, braces don’t require wearers to sip soup through a straw.
What You Can’t (or shouldn’t eat) While Wearing Braces
The reason for careful eating while wearing braces is summarized in one word: damage. Braces have brackets, bands, archwires or surfaces that can be damaged. Damage costs money and causes delays in good dental care. In addition, the wrong kinds of food can cause tooth decay.
Here are some foods to avoid (many of these are hard items that can easily cause damage:)
- Popcorn (beware the kernels)
- Pretzels
- Potato Chips
- Nuts
- Hardshell tacos
- Carrots, Celery and other crunchy veggies
- Peanut brittle
- Hard breads like bagels and pizza crusts
- Hard cookies
- Ice (don’t chew ice ever)
- Beef jerky
- Candies that are hard or sticky like caramels, gummy bears, licorice, taffy and fruit roll-ups
- Chewing gum
What You Can Eat While Wearing Braces
While the list of foods to avoid seems extensive, many food items are ok to eat as long as the usage is modified. For example, eat corn cut off the cob, chicken wings that have had the chicken removed from the bone, chopped pears, apples, pickles, and chewy meat (off the bone) that has been cut into small bite-size pieces.
You can eat many things that are softer:
- Yogurt and dairy
- Cheese
- Mashed potatoes, softer cookies
- Softer fruits without seeds or pits: bananas, grapes, oranges, strawberries
- Peanut butter and jam/jelly
- Noodle dishes: spaghetti, mac and cheese, ravioli
- Grains
Remember to brush after every time food is eaten or at minimum rinse out the mouth with water. Be sure to floss once a day as well.
Choose an Expert Orthodontist You Can Rely On
When it’s time for braces, contact Reese Orthodontics, The Smile People, based in Charleston, SC. Over 11,000 people have trusted Reese Orthodontics to transform their smiles and their lives. Great options. Great service. Great results.