What Snacks Can I Eat With Braces?

When you get braces, you can expect some things to change in your everyday life. For starters, the foods you eat will need to be adjusted accordingly. After all, you’re on your way to a perfect smile and you don’t want anything to jeopardize the process. That’s why sticking to your orthodontist’s instructions about the foods to eat and avoid should be at the forefront of your mind. The rules aren’t in place just because, they’re in place for a reason. So, if you’re asking yourself, “What snacks can I eat with braces?” we can help you out.

Healthy Snacks

Eating a balanced diet is essential at any point in life. Nutritious foods provide what you need to have the energy to power through the day, and they can also help prevent illness. Having braces can really help you adopt a healthier diet, because a lot of the junk needs to be eliminated to avoid damaging your braces or harming your teeth. Healthy snacks that are recommended when you have braces include:

• Bananas and other soft fruits
• Applesauce
• Yogurt
• Pudding
• Steamed veggies
• Soft cheeses
• Creamy nut butters (peanut, almond, cashew)

Sticking to easy-to-eat foods that pack a nutritious punch and are low in sugar can also help prevent cavities from forming.

Be Careful With Some Healthy Snacks

There are some healthy snacks that can also cause harm to your braces, so it’s important to be careful when eating these foods, which can include:

• Raw carrots and other hard veggies
• Apples

Cutting these healthy options into bite-size pieces can help make them safer for snacking. Avoid biting directly into an apple or any other hard fruit or veggie.

Why What You Eat Matters

Hard, sticky, chewy foods can cause damage to your braces, not to mention contribute to tooth decay. Opting for healthy foods and maintaining your oral hygiene is essential to preventing tooth decay, gum disease and damage to your braces. Being sure to brush and floss daily and after eating can really help prevent problems during treatment, and it also helps you to carry these habits on throughout life. What are the types of gum you can chew with braces? Consult your orthodontist!

Life With Braces

Eating is a big part of life with braces and it can be a challenge, especially when you first start treatment. Stick to the rules set forth by your orthodontist about what you can and cannot eat. But trust the experts, they’re there to help you along in the right direction. Chances are after eliminating certain junk foods for a while, you won’t even crave them when you can eat them again. Stick to a healthy diet and listen to your orthodontist. Not only will you feel great, you’ll look great too!

The experts at Charleston Orthodontic Specialists are ready to help you on your orthodontic journey. Call (843) 4-BRACES to get started today!