Have Traditional Braces? Here Are Foods to Avoid

Traditional braces correct extreme overcrowding and crooked teeth and align dental structures faster than clear braces or Invisalign aligners. There is also no age restriction for this dental corrective procedure. Kids, teenagers, and adults can get their teeth fixed. The caveat for traditional braces is care after the installation. Our Orlando orthodontist advises patients to avoid certain foods to prevent damage to the braces and wires. 

Taking care of your braces and teeth is crucial. It impacts your dental health and the quality and duration of the healing process. At Baptiste Orthodontist in Orlando, our orthodontist has a list of foods you can avoid to quicken the healing process and evade mechanical teeth damage and discomfort.

Hard and Crunchy Foods 

Avoid foods that require a lot of biting, such as hard candy, popcorn, ice, nuts, and chips. These foods can break or damage your braces. The wires and bands in your braces cannot withstand the force and pressure exerted when crushing hard foods. They can easily bend or loosen with time, rendering the braces useless. 

Furthermore, food particles from hard, dry edibles can get stuck in the braces, inducing pain and discomfort. The lodged particles may also be challenging to remove with regular brushing, increasing the chances of getting teeth decay. Our Orlando orthodontist recommends eating food that requires less chewing or grinding. 

Sticky and Chewy Foods 

Avoid foods that can stick to your braces, such as caramel, taffy, peanut butter, chewing gum, maple syrup, and sticky candy. These foods can pull off brackets or wires and create oral hygiene problems. Sticky foods also get trapped in hard-to-reach sections of your braces, making it impossible to maintain oral hygiene. Food buildup in your braces breeds bacteria that cause cavities. 

Sugary Foods and Drinks 

Sugary foods and drinks can lead to tooth decay and create plaque around the braces, which is difficult to clean. The acid in sugary and carbonated drinks dissolves the glue holding the braces to your teeth, interfering with their function. Too much sugar also destroys the enamel, the thin outer teeth covering, making you vulnerable to cavities. 

While you can have sugary treats, you should limit your consumption. It is even better to embrace a sugar-free diet while you have your traditional braces. Our Orlando orthodontist recommends reducing or avoiding sugary foods and drinks like soda, sports drinks, and candy. 

Tough Meats 

Our Orlando orthodontist also recommends avoiding tough meats that require a lot of chewing, such as beef jerky and pork chops. Instead, go for soft, tender animal proteins that are easier to chew. You can meet your dietary requirements by having more plant protein. 

Raw Fruits and Vegetables 

Fruits and vegetables are a healthy part of any diet. Instead of eliminating them while you have braces, you can blend them, cut them into easy-to-chew pieces, or consume them in a smoothie. Avoid biting into raw hard fruits and vegetables like apples and carrots. Your braces may not handle the pressure and force of the bite for long. 

Book Your Appointment with Our Orlando Orthodontist 

Want to get your traditional braces done, repaired, or examined in Orlando, FL? We have a certified orthodontists offering quality and affordable services at Baptiste Orthodontist. Call us at (407) 294-1560 to book you appointment.