Wearing braces is an exciting step toward achieving a straighter, healthier smile. However, to ensure successful treatment and avoid complications, your diet will need some adjustments. Eating the wrong foods can damage your braces, slow down your progress, and even harm your teeth.
This guide will help you understand how to protect your braces and your diet, what foods to avoid, and how to maintain a healthy diet during orthodontic treatment.
Why Does Diet Matter When You Have Braces?
Braces create extra surfaces on your teeth where food can get stuck, making it easier for plaque to build up. If plaque is not removed, it can lead to:
- Tooth decay (holes in your teeth from acid damage)
- Permanent white spots (unsightly marks caused by acid and plaque buildup)
- Gum disease (swollen, red, or bleeding gums)
- Broken brackets and wires, leading to longer treatment times
To keep your braces in good shape and protect your teeth, you’ll need to be mindful of what you eat and how you eat it.
What is Tooth Decay?
Every time you eat or drink (especially sugary foods and drinks), the bacteria (plaque) in your mouth produce acid. This acid attacks your teeth for up to one hour after eating, which can cause tooth decay (holes in your teeth).
Braces make it harder to clean your teeth properly, so avoiding sugary foods and drinks is essential to keeping your smile healthy.
How Should I Change My Eating Habits with Braces?
When you first get your braces fitted (and after adjustments), your teeth may feel sore. During this time, it’s best to eat:
- Soft foods like soups, pasta, mashed potatoes, yoghurts, and scrambled eggs.
- Easy-to-chew meals like soft sandwiches, rice, and cooked vegetables.
- Smooth dairy products like cheese and plain yoghurt.
As your mouth adjusts, you can gradually introduce more foods, but you’ll still need to avoid anything that can break your braces or damage your teeth.
Can I Eat Snacks?
Yes, but avoid frequent snacking. Eating three balanced meals a day is much better for your teeth than constantly snacking, which increases the risk of plaque buildup and decay.
If you get hungry between meals, choose healthy snacks, such as:
- Wholemeal bread
- Plain cheese
- Crackers or breadsticks
- Fruits and vegetables (cut into small pieces)
When you’re thirsty, drink plain water or plain milk. Fizzy drinks and fruit juices should be kept to mealtimes only to protect your teeth.
Foods and Drinks to Avoid with Braces
Some foods can cause serious damage to your braces by breaking brackets, bending wires, or sticking to your teeth.
Avoid Sticky Foods:
- Toffee, caramel, and lollies
- Chewing gum
- Sticky chocolate bars
Avoid Hard and Crunchy Foods:
- Whole apples and raw carrots (cut them into small pieces instead)
- Nuts and popcorn
- Pizza crust, hard biscuits, and celery
- Chicken wings and spare ribs (remove the meat from the bone first)
Limit Sugary and Acidic Drinks:
- Fizzy drinks (even diet ones)
- Energy drinks and flavored water
- Fruit juices (only drink at mealtimes and use a straw to reduce damage to teeth)
Reduce Chocolate and Sweets:
- If you eat sweets or chocolate, have them at mealtimes rather than throughout the day.
What Happens if I Keep Breaking My Braces?
If you frequently break your braces, your treatment time will be longer, and your teeth may not move as planned.
- If your braces break, see your orthodontist as soon as possible.
- Avoid foods that can cause damage to prevent delays in treatment.
- Stick to softer foods to keep your braces intact.
The better care you take of your braces, the sooner you’ll be able to complete your treatment and enjoy your new smile!
Key Takeaways for Eating with Braces
- Choose soft and easy-to-chew foods
- Avoid crunchy, hard, or sticky foods
- Limit sugary snacks and drinks
- Drink water or plain milk instead of fizzy drinks
- Cut up hard foods instead of biting into them
- Keep up with regular dental check-ups
- Brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes, twice a day
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask your orthodontist, dentist, or hygienist. They’re here to help you through your braces journey and ensure you get the best possible results!
Final Thoughts
Wearing braces is an investment in your smile, and a good diet is a key part of successful treatment. By making small changes to what you eat, you can protect your braces, keep your teeth healthy, and finish treatment as quickly as possible.
Stick to these diet tips, maintain excellent oral hygiene, and soon, you’ll be enjoying your new, beautifully aligned smile!
