Braces can be tricky. Trying to keep your teeth and gums clean after you eat is challenging with a mouth full of brackets and wires. We know what and how you can eat to maintain your oral health while straightening your teeth. You don’t need to feel confined just because of braces, all you need is a little common sense and to avoid a few troublesome foods.
Foods You Should Avoid with Braces
Popcorn
Popcorn has thin husks that can slide into your braces. Trying to get rid of every little bit of popcorn is difficult and can be impossible. Even if you love leftovers, the taste and feel of your favourite buttery snack for months on end can become repulsive. You will need to go to the dentist for proper cleaning before the food stuck in your mouth causes an infection.
Do you still crave a salty snack at the theatre? Eating chips is a better choice as it is less likely to get little bits stuck in between your wires.
Gum
Gum is sticky. Sticky items attach to metal, wrapping up in the wires of your braces. Gum can even pull the elastic ties off your brackets and tend to contain sugars which are a common culprit for cavities.
If you are addicted to gum, try some with less sugar so there is less chance of it attaching to your orthodontic appliances.
Eating soft, healthy foods will maintain your health and the structure of your braces. As with general oral health, limiting sugar and brushing regularly will help you maintain your teeth and gums for years to come.
Keep in mind, hard foods can damage your braces even if they are nutritious. Try cutting things like raw vegetables into smaller, chewable pieces so they are less likely to damage your wires, brackets, and elastics.
How to Chow Down with Braces
Take Your Time
Your teeth might not fit together as they used to since braces add levels of thickness inside your mouth. Slowly and carefully eat your food so that you can find the right rhythm for a mouth that feels brand new. Be careful to not chew too quickly or aggressively. Rubbing of your braces up and down your cheeks and lips can cause sores inside your mouth.
Soft Foods Diet
Eat soft foods such as soup, pasta, and yogurt. When you are new to braces some sensitivity can be avoided by eating soft ingredients. When crunching down on hard foods, sensitivity increases.
There are ways to work around the inconveniences caused by braces but orthodontics is essential to a happy, healthy, straight smile.
