Getting braces is a temporary treatment aimed at aligning the teeth and correcting bite issues. This process involves affixing small metal or ceramic brackets to the teeth, connected by archwires and held in place with bands. To ensure the hardware remains intact and the treatment progresses without delay, certain changes to one’s diet are necessary. Protecting the orthodontic appliance from damage is achieved primarily by avoiding foods with textures that can compromise the brackets and wires.
Foods That Cause Immediate Damage
Foods that are hard or crunchy pose a significant threat to the structural integrity of the orthodontic hardware. Biting down on items like nuts, ice cubes, hard candies, or crunchy snacks such as chips and hard pretzels can easily cause a bracket to pop off the tooth surface. The force required to break these items can also bend or snap the archwire that connects the brackets. This disrupts the controlled pressure needed for tooth movement and can extend the overall treatment timeline.
Sticky and chewy foods create a different, but equally problematic, mechanical stress on the appliance. Items such as caramel, taffy, chewing gum, and gummy candies possess a high degree of viscosity and can adhere strongly to the brackets and wires. The act of trying to pull these foods away from the teeth can exert a continuous tugging force, potentially loosening the cement that holds the brackets or bands in place. Furthermore, sticky residues are extremely difficult to clean from around the hardware, leading to plaque accumulation and an increased risk of tooth decay.
Foods that require a wide, forceful bite with the front teeth must also be avoided in their whole form. Taking a large bite out of a whole apple, a firm raw carrot, or corn on the cob directs a strong shearing force onto the front brackets. This pressure can easily dislodge the hardware from the tooth surface, particularly on the incisors. The method of consumption must be modified to prevent appliance failure.
Eating Techniques and Preparation Modifications
Many foods that are initially considered risky can be safely incorporated into the diet through simple preparation changes. The overarching goal is to eliminate the need for the front teeth to tear or bite into anything firm. For instance, raw vegetables like carrots and fruits like apples should be cut into small, thin, bite-sized pieces before being eaten.
This modification allows the food to be placed directly onto the back teeth, where the molars are much better equipped for grinding and chewing. Foods such as pizza, burgers, or firm bread crusts should also be dissected into smaller portions that can be chewed without pulling or straining the front brackets. Similarly, meat that is served on the bone, such as ribs or chicken wings, should have the meat cut away cleanly before consumption to avoid tearing it off with the teeth.
Chewing should always be done slowly and gently, using the back teeth to minimize impact on the appliance. Beyond food, it is helpful to avoid non-nutritive habits that can stress the hardware, such as chewing on pen caps, pencils, or fingernails.
Safe Foods for the Adjustment Period
During the initial days after the braces are first placed or following routine adjustment appointments, the teeth and gums may feel tender and sore due to the shifting pressure. At these times, a temporary diet of soft, non-abrasive foods is recommended to reduce discomfort. These foods require minimal to no chewing, allowing the teeth to move with less painful pressure.
Excellent choices during this adjustment phase include:
- Creamy soups and smooth yogurt.
- Soft-cooked grains such as oatmeal or rice.
- Protein sources like scrambled eggs, soft cheeses, and baked or flaked fish.
- Mashed potatoes, soft-cooked pasta, and well-steamed vegetables.
Cold foods, like smoothies or ice cream, can also offer temporary relief by providing a soothing chill to the tender areas. Relying on these soft options for a few days after an appointment helps manage soreness. Once the sensitivity subsides, a wider variety of prepared foods can be reintroduced.