Food vs. Braces: The Do’s and Don’ts

A good nutritious diet should always be a priority but it’s especially important to avoid certain foods if you do have braces so you can prevent cavities and avoid any damage to your teeth or your braces. Below is a list of do’s and don’ts when it comes to taking care of your braces.

Don’t Indulge in Sugary and Sticky Foods
This category includes all foods from cookies to sugary drinks. Having these foods can cause real damage to your teeth and gums causing tooth decay and increasing your risk of gum disease. The stickier the food, the greater chance you have of damaging your wires and even loosening your brackets.

Do Cut Your Food into Smaller Pieces
There are many healthy choices that are great for your diet but can be hard on your teeth. Carrots, radishes, corn on the cob and apples are examples of crunchy fruits and vegetables that would be better on your teeth if they were cut up into smaller pieces, making it easier to eat with less work from your teeth.

Don’t Forget About Your Retainer
It is just as important to wear your retainer as it is to not wear your retainer while eating or drinking. Chewing can easily damage your retainer if you are not careful. So it is just best to take it out for meals and snacks, rinse your mouth (or brush your teeth!), and don’t forget to put it back in right away if your orthodontist requires it to be worn 24/7.

Do Avoid Hard Snacks
Snacks like popcorn, nuts, and chips are hard on your braces. These crunchy foods can easily damage your braces by loosening your brackets or breaking your wires. Popcorn especially is a hard one to avoid but it tops the list as the worst food for braces because the pieces can get stuck in your braces and are very difficult to clean.

There are a lot of rules when it comes to taking care of your braces but just remember these simple do’s and don’ts and you shouldn’t have to have your braces on any longer than expected.

This article is provided on behalf of Bassett Creek Dental, a Minneapolis Dental Clinic giving you more reasons to smile.

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