You got the braces you need to improve your smile and your overall dental health, but you are embarking on a journey that may take several months to up to two years. During that time, what you eat may have an impact on the success of your treatment. Every time you break a bracket or wire, the length of time you need to wear the braces likely increases. The best way to avoid damage to these devices is to clean them properly every day and be careful what you eat. That doesn’t mean you can live on pizza for two years. You need a healthy, well-balanced diet. Below are some foods to avoid while you undergo this form of orthodontic treatment.
When you first get your braces, it may take a few days to get used to them. We recommend that during the adjustment period, you only eat soft foods.
Once you have practiced eating with braces, you can start eating other foods. However, you should never try to bite into hard foods with your front teeth. We recommend that you, or someone else, cut hard food into small pieces to make it easier for you to chew. This way, you don’t miss the nutrition of these foods, but your braces are at lower risk of being damaged.
Even if you are very careful, there are some foods we recommend you avoid completely during the time you wear braces. One small mistake of eating a hard candy or chewing ice can set you back weeks in your orthodontic treatment. Sticky foods may also be damaging. Even soft candy and caramels can find their way into the tiniest crevices of your braces and are almost impossible to remove. They will decay your teeth, so when the braces are removed, you have cavities to be filled or white spots on your teeth that can’t be removed.
Here are some foods to avoid:
• Popcorn
• Nuts
• Ice
• Raw carrots
• Whole apples
Your braces will give you the smile you have always wanted and adjust any bite or other issues with your jawbone and teeth. With the help of our orthodontist at Unique Orthodontics, you can learn how to eat during the treatment to avoid breaking your braces and requiring emergency repair. Contact us today to book your appointment at our offices in Fresno, Madera, Buchanan, or Old Town Clovis!
