Getting braces on seems stressful by itself – add to that the fact you have to cut back on some of your favorite snacks and you may be a bit worried about how you’ll make it through. No worries, though. It’s just for a short time and if you follow the rules, your braces will come off within the suggested timeline with limited problems.
Let’s discuss what you should and shouldn’t eat after getting braces put on.
Eat This
While you may be concentrating on the foods you CAN’T eat, just remember there are plenty of foods you CAN eat. In fact, now you have an excuse to splurge on some ice cream and fruit smoothies! Try these soft foods:
- Calcium-rich cheese cubes or sticks: These foods stimulate the flow of saliva and neutralize acids that eat away at enamel
- Soft cheese
- Pudding
- Soft tortillas
- Pancakes
- Muffins (no nuts)
- Pasta
- Rice
- Soft cooked chicken
- Meatballs
- Fish
- Mashed potatoes
- Steamed spinach
- Smoothies
- Applesauce
- Bananas
- Ice cream
- Milkshakes
- Gelatin
- Yogurt
Not That
No one wants to be told they can’t eat something. However, you’ll go a long way toward keeping your braces clean as well as cavities at bay if you follow the rules. Foods to avoid include:
- Crunchy chips and hard taco shells
- Ice
- Nuts
- Popcorn
- Pizza crust
- Corn on the cob
- Chunky peanut butter
- Chewy breads like bagels
- Apples
- Carrots
- Beef jerky
- Gum
- Gummy foods like licorice, toffee, caramels and roll-ups
Sticky and gooey foods easily get caught between brackets and wires, sticking there until you brush your teeth at night. This can eventually lead to cavities and tooth decay. When reaching for a beverage, go for water rather than sports drinks, soda or sweetened tea, which can erode the enamel on your teeth.
If you do partake in the occasional no-no snack, be sure to swish your mouth out with water if you’re not near a bathroom to brush. Also, there are some short cuts you can take, even when it comes to those forbidden foods above. For example, apples cut into small pieces are ok, as are small pieces of bagels. You want to avoid biting directly into those hard and chewy foods because you can do real damage to your braces.
Abiding by the rules can avoid the need for extra repair appointments, prolonged treatment times, plus you can save your teeth from cavities. You don’t want to go to the dentist more than you have to, right? When you get braces put on by Drs. Savage, Sabol and Visser, we will provide you with a list of foods you can and cannot eat. Call for an appointment today at 757-428-1110. For your convenience, we have five locations to choose from.
