Having braces can be a lot of fun, but they do require a little bit of work on your part. There are things you need to know about properly taking care of your braces and appliances to prevent damage and keep your treatment on schedule. Braces don’t have to be a hassle, if you are mindful of what you are eating throughout treatment you can avoid a lot of trouble. Sure it is tough to give up certain foods, but it will all be worth it in the end when you have those gorgeous teeth you’ve always wanted! Your teeth and jaw can only move into their correct positions if your braces stay intact. Here is a look at the foods you should stay away from when you’re wearing braces.
Tough Foods Harder foods can damage your braces and that is the last thing you want. Avoid tough stuff like peanut brittle, hard candies, pretzels, pizza crust, popcorn, corn on the cob, bagels, ice, or anything else that may damage or get stuck in your braces.
Candy It is always wise to avoid sugary foods whenever possible, but this is especially important while you’re wearing braces. Candies, gum and sugary sodas have the potential to cause heavy plaque build-up, which if not carefully cleaned soon after consumption can lead to swollen gums, white spots on your teeth and decay.
Acidity Acidic food items are bad for your teeth and when you have braces you don’t want to develop permanent stains.
Chewing Gum Chewing gum should be avoided because it can get stuck in the braces.
We can’t wait to help you achieve and maintain a beautiful smile! If you have any additional questions about whether a specific food is safe to eat with braces, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at 203-513-2014.