The introduction of orthodontic braces marks a significant step toward achieving a straighter smile and improved dental health. These specialized tools work by applying continuous, gentle pressure to gradually guide teeth into their correct positions. To protect this hardware and ensure treatment progresses smoothly, individuals must make immediate changes to their diet. Safeguarding the brackets and wires from external forces is crucial for a successful orthodontic journey.
Hard and Sticky Foods and Orthodontic Damage
Foods like candy canes are strongly discouraged because they embody the two textures most harmful to braces: excessive hardness and problematic stickiness. When a person bites or chews a hard item, the force transmitted through the teeth can overwhelm the dental adhesive securing the bracket to the tooth surface. This can cause the bracket to shear off entirely or the archwire to bend, immediately interrupting the intended tooth movement.
The sticky component of a candy cane, or similar chewy treats like caramel, presents an equally damaging mechanical risk. These adhesive substances can wrap around the archwire and brackets. The act of pulling the food away places a tensile load on the appliance, which can stretch or dislodge the small ligatures that hold the wire. In more severe cases, this action can yank an entire band or bracket completely off the tooth.
A Comprehensive Guide to Prohibited Foods
Dietary restrictions extend beyond hard and sticky sweets, falling into distinct categories of mechanical risk that threaten the fixed appliance.
Crunchy Foods
Items that shatter under pressure, such as popcorn, ice, and hard nuts, are problematic because small, unyielding pieces can get wedged between the wire and the bracket or directly impact the bond. While chips may seem soft, many hard varieties, like kettle chips or hard pretzels, can create a concentrated point of force that pops a bracket off the tooth. Even unpopped popcorn kernels, often hidden at the bottom of a bowl, can be inadvertently crunched and cause damage.
Chewy Foods
The high elasticity and dense texture of items like bagels, hard rolls, licorice, and chewy taffy make them difficult to tear apart and swallow. This prolonged chewing motion can strain the wires and brackets, sometimes causing the archwire to distort or become loose. Dried fruits, which are concentrated sources of sugar and possess a sticky, fibrous texture, should also be avoided as they trap against the appliance, making cleaning difficult.
Foods Requiring Biting into
Any food that requires biting directly into it using the front teeth should be modified. Biting into a whole apple, a raw carrot stick, or corn on the cob applies a significant shearing pressure that can easily dislodge front brackets. This forceful action is unnecessary when simple preparation, such as cutting the food into smaller sections, can eliminate the risk.
What Happens When Brackets Break
Ignoring dietary restrictions can lead to immediate consequences when orthodontic hardware breaks. A detached bracket can spin loosely on the archwire, while a bent or broken wire may protrude and poke the soft tissues of the mouth. This causes irritation, cuts, or sores to the cheeks and gums, increasing the risk of localized infection and requiring prompt attention from the orthodontist.
Beyond physical discomfort, a damaged appliance ceases to function correctly. Since the teeth are no longer receiving the correct directional force, they may shift back toward their original positions, halting or reversing the treatment plan. This necessitates an unscheduled repair appointment, which extends the overall time required to complete the orthodontic treatment. If a person notices a loose piece or a sharp wire, they should gently cover the area with orthodontic wax and call their orthodontist immediately.
Eating Comfortably: Safe Food Choices
Fortunately, many delicious and satisfying foods remain safe to eat throughout orthodontic treatment. Soft dairy products like yogurt, soft cheeses, and pudding are excellent options that require minimal chewing force. Grains and starches such as soft bread, pasta, and rice are generally safe, as are most soft-cooked vegetables, which should be steamed or boiled until tender.
Most proteins are acceptable, including soft-cooked chicken, fish without bones, meatballs, and eggs prepared in any style. For foods that are normally restricted, a simple modification makes them safe; for example, apples and raw carrots should be cut into thin slices before eating. This approach allows individuals to maintain a varied and nutritious diet without compromising the integrity of their braces.