Foods To Be Avoided While Wearing Short Term Braces

Orthodontic appliances such as short-term braces have come a long way from what they used to be, and are now more stable, sturdy, and comfortable. However, they should still be treated with care, especially when it comes to choosing what to eat.

Generally, wearing braces causes your teeth to touch differently from the way they used to, which in turn, changes the way you chew your food. As your orthodontic treatment continues and your teeth shift, you will need to continually adapt to biting and chewing in a different way. Fortunately, most people are able to adapt and chew food properly and comfortably in about two to three weeks from the time they first receive their braces.

During the course of your treatment, it is important that you only consume foods that are gentle on the wires and brackets that keep the braces in place. Your orthodontist will give you dietary guidelines of what to eat and what not to eat so you don’t damage your orthodontic appliances, resulting in prolonged treatment. The key rule is that you stay away from anything that is hard, chewy, or sticky. Here is a more detailed list of foods to avoid:

• Sticky foods – these include fruit roll-ups, gummy candy, caramel and other sticky candies
• Chewy foods – these include bagels, licorice and the likes
• Crunchy foods – such as popcorn, chips and ice
• Hard foods – such as nuts, corn on the cob, apples, raw carrots and pizza crust
• Stringy foods – such as spaghetti and mozzarella cheese, so they don’t wind around the brackets

In addition, here are some useful tips regarding your food choices whilst wearing short-term braces:

• Reduce your intake of starchy or sugary foods, such as ice cream, pies, cookies, cake, pretzels, lollipops and crackers. If you consume them, always remember to swish your mouth with water right after.
• Reduce your intake of acidic, diet, and sugary beverages, such as sweetened tea, lemonade, soda, vitamin water, energy and sports drinks. Drink water instead of these drinks.
• It is particularly important that you don’t drink these beverages before going to bed as the damaging sugar and acid can coat your teeth and tongue, allowing harmful bacteria to thrive. If you consume these beverages, always wash your mouth with water.
• When eating hard foods like meat, fruit, and raw vegetables always cut them into tiny, manageable pieces.

Lastly, slow down when eating your food. Chew your food slowly and carefully, and avoid taking big bites or wolfing down anything you eat. If you have to bite your food, use the side of your mouth — slowly and carefully — to avoid damaging your appliances.