When you begin the process of straightening your teeth with braces, you’ll have to get used to a few adjustments. One of the more notable changes you will need to make when you have braces is your diet. In particular, you’ll need to avoid eating hard, chewy, or sticky foods. These kinds of foods could potentially damage your braces and lengthen the time needed with appliances in your mouth. However, it doesn’t mean you’ll be without tasty alternatives to your favorite foods. Here are some examples of ways to enjoy eating while you have braces.
Eat Applesauce, Not Apples
Apples are tasty and nutritious fruits and are staples in many people’s diets. Unfortunately, apples are hard and crunchy and have a high potential to cause damage to your braces. Thankfully, you can still reap the sweet and nutritional benefits of this doctor-repelling fruit with a snack that’s easy to find, or easy to make at home if you want—applesauce. If you aren’t too keen on applesauce, you can still indulge in bananas or other soft fruit and be fine.
Dip with Pita Bread, Not Tortilla Chips
Some tasty chips and dips are a great snack to have when watching sports or a movie, or if you simply want something delectable to eat between meals. When it comes to chips, they tend to be a bit crunchy for braces, so you’ll want to find an alternative to use for dipping. Pita bread is an excellent choice since it’s delicious and can be cut into triangles for dipping.
Have a Mint, Not Gum
When you want to freshen your breath on the fly, it may seem natural to reach for a piece of gum. However, gum is probably one of the worst things you can have with braces since the sticky and chewy texture often gets stuck in the wires and brackets. If you want to freshen your breath, suck on a mint instead.
Eat Soft Treats, Not Hard or Sticky Candy
For times when you want a little something sweet, you’re likely used to having things like hard or gummy candy or caramel. But if you’re trying to keep your braces intact, these foods certainly won’t help. Luckily, it’s not hard to find sweet treats that are soft and easy on your braces. Brownies, soft cookies, chocolate, and muffins can satisfy your sweet tooth without putting your braces at risk. Just remember to keep sugary treats to a minimum to avoid tooth decay. Starchy foods also have a knack for sticking to teeth in hard-to-reach places, making them more difficult to clean out.
After experimenting with alternatives to your favorite crunchy and chewy foods, you’ll soon find reliable foods to eat that will keep your braces safe and sound.
To learn more about foods to avoid with braces and other care tips for your braces, contact Charleston Orthodontic Specialists and schedule a free consultation.