Getting braces is an extremely exciting time but adjusting to the changes associated with wearing your appliance can be difficult. Braces are only effective when you care for them properly, which means some types of food should be avoided throughout the duration of your treatment. This will help you achieve the best results in the shortest time possible.

What happens if you eat the wrong foods?

Eating the wrong foods can cause some discomfort and put you at risk of breaking your brackets or wires which will require unscheduled trips to your orthodontist and may increase your treatment time.

Additionally, if you frequently eat foods that can get stuck in your braces or are high in sugar content you will create an environment that encourages plaque and bacteria to thrive which may cause lasting damage to your teeth.

Foods to eat with braces

The best foods to eat with braces are low in sugar and do not require excessive chewing. This includes…

• Bread
• Mashed potatoes
• Soup
• Cheese
• Pancakes
• Puddings
• Rice
• Pasta

Foods for first week of braces

It’s normal to feel some discomfort during the first week of getting braces as your mouth adjusts to the new appliance. During this time, you should eat soft foods such as yoghurt, boiled vegetables, stewed fruit and thin soups to avoid putting additional pressure on your brackets.

Foods to avoid with braces

Anyone who wears fixed braces should avoid excessive snacking and should aim to eat a healthy and balanced diet. Foods to avoid with braces include…

• Chewy foods such as hard rolls and liquorice
• Crunchy foods such as chips and popcorn
• Sticky foods such as caramel, bubble gum and snickers
• Hard food such as nuts and pretzels
• Sugary foods such as lollies
• Foods that you need to bite into forcefully such as apples, raw carrots and corn

Can you eat chocolate?

Yes, you can eat chocolate with braces. However, this must be done in moderation, due to the high sugar content of chocolate. When you can, try to reach for dark chocolate, instead of milk chocolate varieties.

Can you eat pizza?

Pizza lovers can still enjoy their favourite food. But they should be careful when eating the crust because it requires a lot of chewing which is not good for your braces.

Can you eat chips?

Whether you like hot potato chips or thin crisps from the packet, you don’t have to give up chips when you get braces.

Can you eat with wax on your braces?

Orthodontic wax is non-toxic and safe for consumption. It’s made for you to put in your mouth so you can definitely eat while it is applied.

Considerations for eating with braces

Regardless of what types of foods you eat with braces, it is important to keep the crevices between the teeth and around the braces very clean. That means brushing and flossing after meals to prevent the build-up of plaque and decay. Not only can failing to do so damage the teeth and gums, but it can also cause discolouration which can last a lifetime.

If you’re wanting to ensure the best results from your orthodontic treatment it is very important that you follow the advice about safe foods for braces that is set out above and ask your orthodontist if you have any questions about your specific treatment.

Whether you wear metal braces, ceramic braces or lingual braces, you need to know how to look after them. If you take care of your braces properly, it’ll make them much more comfortable and effective, meaning you’re a step closer to the perfect smile each day!

So what can you be doing to make sure you’re keeping your oral health in check while you’re wearing braces?

Perfect your brushing technique

Brushing is important whether or not you wear braces, but it becomes especially important when you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment. When you wear braces, it’s much easier for pesky pieces of food and plaque to get trapped in the brackets and cause problems, so you should use a toothbrush with a soft head to access those hard-to-reach areas. If you prefer to use an electric toothbrush, that’s fine too.

Start off by brushing at the gum line of your teeth, holding your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle towards your gums. Once you’ve cleaned your gum line, hold your toothbrush at a downward angle on the top of your brackets, and then at an upward angle to clean the bottom of your brackets.

Although generally people only need to brush twice a day, if you wear braces then we’d always recommend brushing after every meal. Keeping a toothbrush and a tube of toothpaste handy in your bag is an easy way to make sure your mouth is clean and sparkling!

Floss, floss, floss!

Flossing while wearing braces can be a bit of a feat, but it’s a step in your oral hygiene routine that shouldn’t be ignored. Flossing helps to remove any plaque build-up, as well as any smaller food particles that are stuck in your braces or between your teeth. If you find it tricky to floss with flossing tape, try using floss threaders for braces or interdental brushes.

You can buy these in the supermarket or pharmacy, and they can help you manoeuvre around your brackets.

Remember to be gentle when you’re flossing. Try not to apply too much pressure or go too quickly as you could damage your braces, which would mean a trip back to see the orthodontist!

Avoid certain foods

Very few foods are actually off-limits when you wear braces, but your orthodontist will give you a list of foods you should avoid while undergoing treatment. A heads up – anything chewy, sticky, crunchy or hard is likely to be on the list.

Plus, if you’re the sort of person who’s always nibbling on your nails or chewing pen lids, you’ll need to curb that habit pretty quickly too! These types of habits and foods can break or bend the braces which is never a good thing.

You should also avoid sugary foods and drinks as these can cause staining and decay around your brackets. These stains can be permanent, and will become more obvious later when the braces are removed, which will not help you to achieve the perfect smile.

If you’re wearing braces, you’ll want to do everything in your power to make sure you’re going to get the best result. Keeping your teeth clean, taking the time to floss, and thinking about the food you eat are simple but effective steps to make sure you’ll have a perfect smile when the braces come off!