Foods You Shouldn’t Eat with Braces by Cody Dental Group

You’ve decided to wear braces. Congratulations! You have officially begun your journey toward having a healthy, beautiful smile. Once you sit on the chair of a Denver orthodontist and begin your treatment, however, know that you will have to make a few lifestyle adjustments. Not only will you have to take good care of your teeth, but your braces as well. Aside from regular brushing and flossing, you’ll also need to refrain from eating certain foods.

The Foods to Avoid

An article in Parenthood.com provides a comprehensive list of the foods that you need to avoid like the plague:

“Apples: Don’t bite into a whole one! Cut it into thin wedges first.
Bagels and hard rolls: Convicted culprits of bending wires and loosening brackets.
Beef jerky: Your braces don’t stand a chance against this leathery food.
Bubble gum: Trust us, there’s nothing worse than spending hours picking gum from your braces.
Candy canes or suckers: You might weaken and take a bite!
Caramels and chewy candies: And you thought bubble gum was messy.
Chicken wings: You can enjoy these if you first cut the meat off the bone.
Corn chips: Anything that crunches when you bite it is bad news for braces.
Corn on the cob: If you must, remove the kernels from the cob with a knife, then enjoy!
Fingernails: Now’s the perfect time to kick that bad habit.
Fruit Roll-Ups: See bubble gum.
Gummi anything: See bubble gum.
Hard candies: Can loosen wires and dislodge brackets.”

The article also warns against eating the following: hard cookies, ice cubes, nuts, pears, peanut brittle, pickles, popcorn, pizza crust, pretzels, raw carrots, ribs, sugary candy, and taffy.

Why Do You Need to Avoid These Foods?

Braces typically consist of three parts: stainless steel brackets, archwires, and rubber bands. Generally, these parts are very sturdily constructed, but the density of the foods enumerated above can cause your braces to separate from your teeth and even damage them. By avoiding these foods and practicing good oral hygiene, your braces can give you a beautiful smile that lasts a lifetime.

If you ever have any questions about whether a certain type of food is safe to eat with braces, or if you want more tips on other lifestyle changes you need to make, don’t hesitate to call a Denver orthodontist like Dr. Charles Reed. With his help, you will be better guided on your way toward the perfect smile.

(Source: Don’t Eat That: Foods to Avoid While Wearing Braces, Parenthood.com)