Braces are precision instruments designed to move teeth, requiring immediate changes to your eating habits to ensure treatment success and prevent costly repairs. Reviewing your diet is the first step, as certain foods can compromise the integrity of the brackets, wires, and bands.
Foods to Avoid Completely
A variety of foods must be eliminated from your diet entirely because they pose a significant risk of physical damage to the components of your braces. These items generally fall into three categories: hard, sticky, and crunchy, all of which exert excessive force or pull on the fixed appliances.
Hard foods, such as nuts, hard candies like lollipops, and ice, should be strictly avoided. Biting down on them can cause brackets to pop off the tooth surface or bend the archwire out of shape. This forceful impact risks breaking the bond between the bracket and the enamel, leading to immediate repair needs and potential delays in your treatment timeline.
Sticky foods, including caramel, toffee, taffy, and most chewing gum, are problematic because their adhesive nature allows them to cling to and wrap around the wires and brackets. This strong adhesion can physically pull the appliance components, potentially loosening the brackets or bending the archwires. Furthermore, sticky substances are difficult to remove, creating areas where food debris and plaque accumulate, significantly increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease around the brackets.
Crunchy items, such as popcorn, chips, and hard pretzels, present a dual threat to your braces. The initial bite can create enough pressure to dislodge brackets or bend wires, similar to hard foods. Moreover, smaller fragments and hulls, especially those from popcorn, can become lodged between the gums, teeth, and wires, which is not only painful but can also be extremely difficult to clean, leading to irritation and potential infection.
Safe and Recommended Foods
To minimize the risk of damage and discomfort, your diet should focus on soft, non-abrasive foods that require minimal chewing force. These foods allow for a comfortable eating experience while providing necessary nutrition. Select items that break down quickly and do not require excessive force or repetitive motion to consume, protecting the brackets and wires from accidental stress.
Safe options include:
- Soft dairy products, such as yogurt, cottage cheese, and soft cheeses.
- Soft cooked vegetables, including steamed carrots, green beans, mashed potatoes, and yams.
- Tender protein sources, such as eggs, boneless fish (tuna or salmon), shredded chicken, meatloaf, or meatballs.
- Soft fruits like bananas, berries, grapes, and applesauce.
- Softly prepared grains, such as oatmeal, rice, pasta, pancakes, or tortillas.
Foods That Need Preparation or Modification
Many otherwise restricted foods can be safely incorporated into your diet with simple preparation techniques that eliminate the need for biting directly with the front teeth. This adaptation focuses on using your back teeth for gentle chewing and reducing the risk of shearing force on the brackets.
Harder fruits and vegetables, such as apples, raw carrots, and celery, should be cut into small, bite-sized pieces before consumption. Place these smaller pieces directly onto the back teeth for chewing to avoid putting harmful pressure on the front brackets and wires. Similarly, corn must be cut off the cob before eating, as biting it off directly is a common cause of bracket damage.
Any tough or fibrous meats, like steak or ribs, should be carefully cut into small, manageable pieces, and meat must always be removed from the bone before consumption. For breads and baked goods, especially pizza, the hard or crusty edges should be cut off, leaving only the soft interior to be consumed. These modifications allow you to enjoy a wider variety of foods while maintaining the structural integrity of your orthodontic appliance.
Eating During Initial Adjustment Periods
The initial period immediately following the placement of braces, or after an adjustment appointment, is distinct because the focus shifts from just preventing damage to managing temporary pain and sensitivity. The teeth and gums are often tender for the first few days to a week due to the new pressure applied by the archwire.
During this time, a liquid or super-soft diet is highly recommended to minimize chewing altogether. Excellent choices include nutrient-dense options like smoothies, pureed soups, broth, and scrambled eggs. Foods like mashed potatoes, yogurt, and soft pasta are also appropriate, as they require little to no significant chewing.
To help manage the discomfort, over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can be taken as directed by your orthodontist. Additionally, orthodontic wax should be applied to any brackets or wires causing friction or irritation to the cheeks and lips. Rinsing the mouth with warm salt water can also soothe tender gums and accelerate the healing of any minor sores.