Keeping up with the care of your braces involves eating foods that are easy on your front teeth and your braces hardware. Soft foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, cheese and pasta are recommended for those with braces. But here is a short list of some foods you should probably avoid or change while you are under orthodontic treatment.
Popcorn
Uncooked popcorn kernels are hard and biting down on them could potentially break brackets or wires. The husks of popcorn can also get caught in between your teeth or your hardware and can be difficult to remove. Leaving these husks in spots that can not be reached by brushing or flossing can cause bacteria to build up or irritate your gums.
Ice
Some individuals love to chew on ice after they finish their cold drink, or just for fun. Eating ice chips or ice cubes is one of the most common ways that braces get damaged. Chomping down on the hard material the wrong way could loosen one of your brackets or other wires.
Meat
Avoiding eating foods with your front teeth is encouraged with braces. Foods like meat can be hard to bite and fibers can get stuck in your braces. It is best to cut meat up into smaller pieces and use your molars to chew these types of foods.
Sticky Candy
While most candy is off limits while you have braces, sticky substances also contain lots of sugar that is bad for your oral health anyway. Sticky and chewy candy can stick to your brackets and possibly rip them off. Cleaning chewy candy, gum or sticky suckers can be difficult, especially with so many small crevices to get into.
Raw Veggies
Crunchy vegetables or corn on the cob can be rough on the front teeth and braces. This is another food that should be cut up into smaller pieces. Biting into an apple or eating raw carrots can cause damage to your braces and can be difficult to eat those kinds of foods as well.
Clear Aligners Can Be Another Option
Braces are not the most comfortable process and if you are wanting more options for food, Invisalign can be another option. Clear aligners and Invisalign can give you the option to remove them before eating or drinking. Taking them out before eating can avoid stains or damage to your aligners.
Mountain View Dental offers traditional braces as well as ClearCorrect aligners for our patients. Orthodontic treatment can make a big difference in your confidence and your smile. Clear aligners offer you that luxury without the look of hardware and brackets.
Why Mountain View Dental
Located in Pleasant View, Mountain View Dental serves residents in Pleasant View, Ogden, Farr West, Marriott-Slaterville, Plain City, South Willard, Willard and Perry. We offer general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, orthodontic treatment, teeth whitening and more. We take most insurance plans and can give you a quote for services you are seeking. Contact us with all your questions and concerns here.
