What Can You Not Eat with Braces

Foods To Avoid With Braces

When wearing braces, it’s important to avoid certain foods that can damage the brackets and wires, leading to discomfort and potentially prolonging your orthodontic treatment. Here’s a guide to the types of foods you should steer clear of:

Hard Foods

• Ice: Chewing on ice can break your brackets.
• Hard candies: These can cause breakage to the wires.
• Nuts: Their hardness can dislodge braces components.

Sticky Foods

• Gum: Can get entangled in the braces, pulling at the wires.
• Caramel: Sticks to and can even pull off brackets.
• Taffy: Similarly tough and sticky, posing a risk to your braces.

Crunchy Foods

• Popcorn: Kernels can get lodged under braces, causing irritation or damage.
• Chips: Bits can break off braces or become stuck.
• Raw vegetables: Hard vegetables like carrots should be cut into smaller pieces or cooked to soften.

Sugary Foods

• Soda: High sugar content can lead to decay around brackets.
• Candy: Increases the risk of cavities, especially when cleaning around braces is challenging.
• Pastries: Sticky and high in sugar, a double threat to oral health. Read more: What Candy Can You Eat With Braces

Other Considerations

• Corn on the cob: Should be removed from the cob before eating.
• Apples and other hard fruits: Best eaten when cut into small pieces.
• Meat on the bone: Meat should be cut off the bone to avoid damage to braces.

Following these guidelines helps maintain your braces and overall oral health, ensuring a smoother and quicker orthodontic journey. If you have specific concerns about foods and your braces, consulting with your orthodontist is always best.

Can I eat pizza with braces?

Yes, you can eat pizza with braces, but there are a few considerations to keep in mind to protect your orthodontic appliances:

• Crust: Avoid very hard or crunchy crusts, as they can damage the brackets and wires. Opt for a softer crust if possible.
• Toppings: Be cautious with tougher toppings like certain meats or raw vegetables. It’s best to choose softer toppings to ease chewing.
• Chewing: Take small bites and chew gently to minimize the risk of dislodging any part of your braces.

Eating carefully and choosing the right type of pizza can ensure you enjoy it without harming your braces. Always remember to brush your teeth after eating to remove any food particles that may get stuck in your braces, helping to prevent plaque buildup and decay.

Read more: What To Eat With Braces The First Week

What can’t you drink with braces?

When you have braces, it’s important to be cautious about what you drink to prevent damage to your braces and protect your oral health. Here are some types of beverages to avoid or consume with caution:

Sugary Drinks

• Sodas: These can lead to plaque buildup around the brackets, increasing the risk of tooth decay.
• Fruit juices: Often high in sugar, these can contribute to cavity formation if consumed frequently.

Highly Pigmented Drinks

• Coffee: Can stain the brackets and bands of your braces.
• Tea: Similar to coffee, it can leave stains, especially on ceramic braces.
• Red wine: Also a risk for staining braces and teeth.

Acidic Beverages

• Sports drinks: These can erode enamel over time due to their high acid content.
• Energy drinks: Like sports drinks, the acidity can harm enamel and irritate the soft tissues in your mouth.

It’s best to opt for water, which hydrates without risking your braces or oral health. If you do consume any of the above drinks, using a straw can help minimize contact with your braces, and it’s advisable to rinse your mouth with water afterwards to help neutralize acids and sugars.

Can I eat ramen with braces?

Yes, you can eat ramen with braces. It’s soft and easy to chew, posing little risk to your braces. However, be mindful of additions like hard vegetables or tough meats; ensure they are cut into smaller, manageable pieces.

Can I eat Oreos with braces?

Yes, you can eat Oreos with braces. They are soft enough not to damage the braces. However, because they are sticky and sugary, it’s important to brush your teeth thoroughly after eating to prevent plaque buildup around your braces and reduce the risk of cavities.