Another way to enjoy your favorite fruits (and veggies) is to mix them into a smoothie. Softer fruits (such as blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and bananas) are great alternatives. To eat a harder fruit, cut it into smaller pieces and chew it with the back teeth. However, cutting apples into slices or opting for unsweetened applesauce are good alternatives. As mentioned earlier, biting into hard fruits (such as apples) can be damaging to braces. Here are some additional foods to eat and avoid with braces. Luckily, there are a wide variety of ways to prepare food from all the major food groups so they are safe. The goal is to prevent food from damaging or pulling on brackets/wires and getting stuck in the braces. Generally, the softer the food, the better it is for braces.
#NICE STICKY ERECT FREE#
However, feel free to cut the corn off the cob and eat it separately. Although the kernels may appear to be fully popped, popcorn often contains hard pieces in the center that can damage braces. Popcorn (especially unpopped kernels).Consider soft tortillas as an alternative. Thick chips, taco shells, or hard pretzels.Nuts and seeds (including candy containing nuts such as Peanut M&M ’s).For example, steam carrots until they are soft or cut apples into slices so they can be chewed with the back teeth. However, these items can be eaten when prepared properly. Hard fruits/vegetables (such as raw carrots, apples, pears).Although patients may feel they can suck on such items without biting them, the temptation to bite or chew (particularly for younger patients) may prove too strong. Hard candy and lollipops, especially jawbreakers.Biting and chewing ice is one of the most common causes of damaged braces. Although ice in a drink is fine, do not bite or chew ice. The following hard foods are off-limits while wearing braces.
#NICE STICKY ERECT CRACK#
Because they require so much force to bite through, a single bite can crack or dislodge a bracket, bend a wire, or chip and even crack a tooth. Hard foods are an orthodontist’s nightmare.
Examples of each type of food, how it can cause problems, and some preparation tips are provided below. Three main categories of food must be avoided while wearing braces-hard food, sticky food, and chewy food. Although some foods are off-limits when wearing braces, most other foods can be eaten if they are correctly prepared. Since Invisalign clear aligners can be removed for eating and brushing, Invisalign® patients don’t need to follow any particular dietary guidelines.Īt Burke & Redford Orthodontists, we want our patients to enjoy a variety of food while wearing their braces. These guidelines apply to all types of braces, including self-ligating braces, which include: clear ceramic, metal braces, and Damon braces. By following these guidelines of foods to eat and avoid with braces, patients will avoid emergency visits to their orthodontist and ensure a beautiful smile once the braces come off.
However, some restrictions and precautions will prevent damage to brackets and wires. Wearing braces doesn’t mean eating a bland diet of soft foods. Making Choices Your Orthodontist Will Approve