Foods to Avoid with Braces: A Complete Guide for a Smooth Orthodontic Journey
At Harmony Orthodontics in Gresham and Sandy, OR, we’re dedicated to ensuring your orthodontic treatment goes as smoothly as possible. This includes providing accurate and helpful guidance on what to eat—and what to avoid—while wearing braces.
Certain foods can disrupt your treatment, damage your braces, or harm your oral health. To help you achieve your perfect smile, we’ve compiled a list of foods to avoid with braces and why they can cause complications.
Why Avoid Certain Foods with Braces?
Your braces are designed to align your teeth gradually and efficiently. However, some foods can damage brackets and wires, delay your progress, or increase the risk of oral health problems such as cavities and decalcification. Avoiding these foods is key to protecting your investment and ensuring a seamless treatment experience.
Foods to Avoid with Braces
Sticky Foods
Sticky foods are some of the worst offenders for people with braces.
Examples of Sticky Foods:
- Soft candies (e.g., caramels, toffees)
- Chewing gum
- Gummy candies
- Nutella and similar spreads
Why Avoid Them?
Sticky foods can:
- Dislodge brackets and archwires.
- Get stuck in braces, leading to cavities.
- Create a difficult-to-clean mess.
Sugary Foods & Drinks
Sugary treats and drinks can harm your teeth and braces.
Examples of Sugary Foods & Drinks:
- Cookies, cakes, and candy
- Ice cream
- Soda, sweet tea, sports drinks
Why Avoid Them?
- Sugars promote acid production, leading to cavities.
- Acidic drinks can erode tooth enamel, causing white spots or decalcification around braces.
Tip: Maintain a rigorous oral hygiene routine and limit sugary snacks to protect your teeth during treatment.
Hard & Tough Foods
Hard foods can damage braces, while tough foods can dislodge brackets and wires.
Examples of Hard & Tough Foods:
- Raw vegetables (e.g., carrots)
- Hard, crusty bread or pizza crusts
- Nuts
- Beef jerky
Why Avoid Them?
- Hard foods can bend wires or dislodge brackets.
- Tough foods require excessive chewing, increasing the risk of damage to braces.
Tip: Cut raw vegetables into small pieces or cook them to soften before eating.
Acidic Beverages
Acidic drinks can lead to long-term damage to your teeth, especially around braces.
Examples of Acidic Beverages:
- Soft drinks (regular and diet)
- Sports drinks
- Lemonade
- Energy drinks
Why Avoid Them?
- Acid erodes enamel, increasing the risk of white spots and decay.
- Braces can trap acid around your teeth, compounding the problem.
Dense & Chewy Bread
Certain types of bread can be challenging to chew and may damage your braces.
Examples of Dense & Chewy Bread:
- Bagels
- Baguettes
- Hard rolls
- Pizza crusts with crispy edges
- Thick, dense sandwich bread
Why Avoid Them?
- Dense bread can stick to brackets and wires, making it difficult to clean.
- Chewy bread may cause discomfort while eating and can damage braces.
Tips for Managing Your Diet with Braces
- Opt for softer bread options like tortillas or soft sandwich bread.
- Cut hard foods into small, manageable pieces to reduce the risk of damage.
- Maintain excellent oral hygiene to protect your teeth from sugary and acidic foods.
The Best Orthodontists in Gresham and Sandy Are Here to Help!
At Harmony Orthodontics, we’re here to guide you every step of the way during your orthodontic treatment. If you have questions about foods to avoid with braces, don’t hesitate to ask. Our team specializes in creating personalized treatment plans and providing comprehensive orthodontic care, whether you’re using Invisalign or traditional braces.
Contact us today at https://smileinharmony.com to learn more about how to maintain a healthy, braces-friendly diet and achieve the smile of your dreams!