Braces are a popular orthodontic treatment used to straighten teeth and correct bite issues. However, while braces can help improve your smile, they also require some lifestyle adjustments. One of the most important adjustments is avoiding certain foods that can damage your braces or lead to dental problems. Here are three types of foods you should avoid when you have braces: hard foods, sticky foods, and sugary foods.
Hard Foods
Hard foods, such as nuts, popcorn, and hard candy, can damage your braces by bending wires or dislodging brackets. If you’re not careful, hard foods can even break your braces, which can be uncomfortable and require additional appointments to fix. These include things like corn on the cob, harder breads and crusts, and dense raw vegetables. Instead of eating hard foods, try softer alternatives like cooked vegetables or fruit, which are less likely to damage your braces.
Sticky Foods
Another type of food you should avoid are sticky or gooey kinds. Sticky foods can get stuck between braces and make it harder to clean your teeth. Caramels, gums and taffys can be a serious danger to your orthodontic progress if they pull off brackets or wires. Additionally, sticky foods increase the risk of cavities because they linger on teeth longer than other food items. To avoid these issues, try nourishing snacks like fresh produce, lean proteins and more; all of which are easier for your mouth to clean afterwards!
Sugary Foods
Not only can candy, soda, and other sugary snacks damage your braces – but they have a high risk of causing cavities as well. When you consume these foods the sugar combines with bacteria that is already in your mouth creating an acidic environment which erodes away at tooth enamel and leads to cavities. An even bigger issue if you are wearing braces because it makes them much more difficult to treat! Swap out those sugary treats for drinks like water or sugar-free beverages along with natural sugars such as fresh fruit instead – this way not only will you be protecting your teeth from cavities but also caring for those pearly whites beneath the metal brackets too!
To ensure that you have the desired results and optimal dental health with your braces, it is important to avoid certain types of food. Hard foods, sticky snacks, and sugary treats can wreak havoc on your bracket system while also increasing cavity risk. Rather than those items, an ideal nutrition plan should consist of soft cooked veggies or fresh fruit for a healthy snack; lean proteins such as chicken and fish; plus sugar-free beverages. Following these dietary guidelines will not only extend the life of your metal mouth but also grant you that beautiful smile sooner!
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