Foods to Avoid While Wearing Braces

Jan 8

So, you've got braces and you're on your way to a perfect smile with Dominion Orthodontics! While it's an exciting time, it's crucial to remember that your food choices play a significant role in ensuring your treatment progresses smoothly. Certain foods can damage your braces or make it difficult to clean your teeth, leading to potential setbacks. In this blog post, we'll guide you through the foods to avoid while wearing braces to keep your treatment on schedule and your smile on track.

Hard Foods

Hard foods can cause brackets to break and wires to bend, which could prolong your treatment. Steer clear of:

Nuts
Ice
Hard candies

Sticky Treats

Sticky foods can get stuck in your braces and be very hard to clean out. This can lead to tooth decay and damage your braces:

Gum
Caramels
Taffy

Are you concerned about your food choices and how they might affect your braces? Schedule a consultation with Dominion Orthodontics today! We're here to provide personalized advice and help you through every step of your orthodontic journey.

Crunchy Snacks

Crunchy foods can break your braces and become lodged in difficult-to-clean areas:

Popcorn
Chips

Chewy Foods

Chewy foods can pull at the wires and brackets, causing them to become loose:

Bagels
Licorice
Beef jerky

Whole Raw Fruits and Vegetables

These can be too tough on your braces if not prepared properly. Opt to cut them into smaller pieces:

Apples
Carrots

Additional Tips

Cut and Prepare: Always cut harder foods into smaller, manageable pieces to avoid damaging your braces.
Avoid Sugary Foods: Minimize consumption of sugary foods that can increase the risk of cavities, especially when they get stuck in your braces.
Good Oral Hygiene: Brush and floss after every meal to ensure no food particles remain trapped in your braces.
Regular Checkups: Visit your orthodontist regularly to monitor your progress and adjust your braces as needed.

Avoiding certain foods is essential to ensure that your braces can do their job effectively. By following these guidelines, you’ll prevent unnecessary repairs and keep your treatment on track. Dominion Orthodontics is committed to helping you achieve your best smile. Schedule a consultation with us today to get personalized advice and take the next step in your orthodontic journey!