If you have braces, there are certain foods you need to avoid. These include hard and sticky foods that can get caught in your braces and cause damage. Some of the most common culprits are popcorn, candy, and gum. It would help if you avoided crunchy snacks like chips, crackers, and anything with seeds or pits like cherries or olives.
Here are 24 braces-friendly snacks that dentists recommend.
1. Nuts
Why should you not eat nuts if you have braces? Because they are too hard, they can damage your brackets or poke wires out of place.
2. Popcorn
The unpopped kernels in popcorn can break braces. And even the popped kernels can get stuck between teeth and around brackets.
3. Chewy candy
Chewy candy is a no-no with braces because it can pull out wires and loosen brackets. Even worse, it can cause tooth decay by getting stuck in hard-to-reach places and breeding bacteria.
4. Gum
Like candy, gum can cause tooth decay, pulling out wires and loosening brackets. It’s best to avoid gum altogether when you have braces.
5. Ice
Chewing on ice might be harmless, but it can crack and break your braces. It’s best to avoid it altogether.
6. Hard candy
Hard candy can break teeth, damage braces, and cause cavities. So it’s best to avoid it while you have braces.
Why is hard candy bad for your braces? Hard candy is made of sugar, and it can cause cavities. It can also break your braces.
7. Pizza crust
The hard crust on pizza can break teeth and damage braces. So it’s best to eat the toppings and leave the crust behind.
8. Chips
Chips are full of starch that can get stuck in braces and promote tooth decay. They can also break brackets and wires. You should also avoid eating cheez-its and similar alternatives.
Chips are one of the worst foods for your braces, but there are few alternatives you can eat safely with braces.
9. Taffy
Taffy can be very sticky, and pull out wires and loosen brackets. It’s best to avoid it altogether.
10. Caramel
Caramel is sticky and can pull out wires and loosen brackets. It’s best to avoid it altogether.
11. Pretzels
Pretzels are full of starch that can get stuck in braces and promote tooth decay. They can also break brackets and wires.
12. Cookie dough
Cookie dough is sticky and can pull out wires and loosen brackets. It’s best to avoid it altogether.
13. Peanut butter
Peanut butter is sticky and can pull out wires and loosen brackets. It’s best to avoid it altogether.
14. Raisins
Raisins are sticky and can get caught in braces, promoting tooth decay. They can also break brackets and wires.
15. Dried fruit
Dried fruit is sticky and can get caught in braces, promoting tooth decay. They can also break brackets and wires.
16. Cake
The cake is full of sugar that can promote tooth decay. It’s best to avoid it altogether.
17. Pie
Pie is full of sugar that can promote tooth decay. It’s best to avoid it altogether.
18. Hard rolls and bagels
The hard crust on rolls and bagels can break teeth and damage braces. So it’s best to eat the soft parts and leave the crust behind.
19. Raw carrots
Raw carrots are too hard and can damage your brackets or poke wires out of place.
20. Apples
While apples are a healthy food, they are too hard and can damage your brackets or poke wires out of place.
While it may be challenging to follow these guidelines initially, ensuring your braces stay in good condition is essential. If you accidentally eat something that’s not allowed, brush your teeth and rinse your mouth out immediately. With a bit of care, you can enjoy your braces for the duration of your treatment.