Soon after starting treatment, your teeth may feel sore for the first 2-5 days. You may need to stick to soft foods during this time, but you can return to eating many of the foods you love soon! However, there are some foods that you will need to avoid altogether during treatment to protect your braces. These include sticky, hard, and sugary food that can damage your braces and teeth.
Your teeth, gums, and bones are more likely to remain healthy and your appliances functional during treatment if you are cautious about the way you eat your food and the foods you choose to eat. Dr. Galati and our team can provide you with a comprehensive list of foods to avoid while wearing braces.
Foods to Avoid
- Suckers, Jolly Ranchers, and other hard candy
- Caramels, Skittles, Starbursts, jelly beans, and other sticky candy
- Raw carrots, apples, and celery that are not cut into small pieces
- Hard rolls, bagels, and pizza crusts
- Ribs or other meat on the bone
- Beef jerky, Slim Jims, and other chewy or tough meat
- Corn on the cob
- Nuts and popcorn
- Soda (regular or diet)
- Gum that is not sugar free
In addition to eliminating these foods from your diet, avoid chewing on ice, fingernails, pens, or pencils. If an appliance becomes loose, bent, or broken, it can delay your treatment, making time in braces that much longer.
For more information about which foods to avoid and how to protect your braces, contact our office at 480-656-7801 today.