Whether you are struggling with minor crowding or severe misalignment, traditional braces can guide your teeth into a healthier position, making your dream smile a reality. Unfortunately, there is one drawback to this orthodontic treatment: dietary restrictions. The good news is that there are plenty of yummy foods you can eat with braces that don’t pose a danger to your brackets and wires. Keep reading to learn what they are!
10 Braces-Friendly Foods
Although traditional braces are incredibly durable, it is possible for a bracket to become loose or a wire to break. The biggest culprit? Hard, crunchy, and sticky items. Therefore, it is best to stick with foods like:
- Cottage cheese
- Muffins
- Yogurt
- Scrambled eggs
- Soup
- Mashed potatoes
- Peas
- Pasta
- Pudding (preferably sugar-free)
- Cooked veggies (make sure they are very soft)
A Few Foods to Avoid
Now that you know which foods to fill your plate with, it’s time to cover what you should avoid. To prevent your orthodontic treatment from derailing, make sure to stay away from the following items:
- Hard candies
- Gum
- Ice
- Nuts
- Popcorn
- Hard fruits and veggies (i.e., celery, apples, etc.)
- Chips
Have a Broken Bracket or Wire? Here’s What to Do Next
If your bracket becomes loose or a wire snaps, do your best not to panic. If your orthodontic emergency has resulted in a potentially life-threatening condition, like difficulty breathing or uncontrollable bleeding, then head straight to your local ER or call 911 right away. In all other cases, you should contact your dental team. From there, they can walk you through the next best steps to take until your appointment, including first-aid instructions (if needed). From there, they can schedule a time for you to visit your orthodontist, so they can restore your pain-free smile and get your treatment back on track.
After months of wearing braces, the last thing you want is to spend more time and money on orthodontic treatment. The best way to prevent that from happening is by sticking to a solid at-home oral hygiene routine and following all of the dietary restrictions. That way, your new and improved smile will be ready sooner rather than later!
About the Orthodontist
Dr. Jamie Moon earned her dental doctorate at the Columbia University School of Dental Medicine before completing a post-graduate program in orthodontics. Today, she has more than a decade of experience under her belt and is board-certified by the American Board of Orthodontics! Her extensive education and training allow her to help patients who are considering braces for the first time, are struggling with an orthodontic emergency, and everything in between. If you want to straighten your teeth or need urgent treatment, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment via our website or by phone at 508-909-6719.