Seafood — tuna, salmon, crab cakes. Now that you have your braces, how do you take care of them? These Web pages offer guidance on foods to avoid and how to eat in a way that won't harm your braces. Read the following list of foods to avoid as well as recommended foods for braces wearers. If you do play sports, it's recommended that you wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth and your appliance. Peanut butter and jelly. Sticky foods — caramel candies, chewing gum. What not to eat with braces chart. Ice (Never chew ice. Vegetables — mashed potatoes, steamed spinach, beans. Avoid carbonated and high-sugar beverages: - Seltzer water. Jaw movement and food chewing can loosen braces. Sticky and hard candy. In case of a sports emergency, be sure to immediately check your mouth and appliance for damage. Performance drinks (Gatorade, etc.
Recommended Foods When Wearing Braces. When you first get your braces, you may notice that your teeth and mouth feel a little tender or sore. If this happens, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can check and repair your appliance.
Bananas, grapes, oranges, strawberries, and other fruits without pits. If you need some wax, please let us know. If any piece of your appliance comes off, be sure to save it and bring it to the office with you. Foods to avoid with braces pdf worksheet. Crunchy peanut butter. It's important to eat nutritiously while you are undergoing treatment. If you wear braces or other appliances, you need to give your teeth a break from heavy chewing. The wires and bands on your braces may come loose. In general, while wearing braces or other appliances, be careful to avoid hard, sticky, chewy and crunchy foods.
It is also not uncommon for your lips, cheeks, and tongue to become irritated for one to two weeks as they toughen and become used to the braces. You can temporarily relieve the discomfort by applying wax or rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater. Game, Set, Match — we have great news for athletes! Soreness Caused from Braces and Appliances. Dental Associates offers complete family dentistry plus specialty services like orthodontics, oral surgery, and dental implants. This is perfectly normal and we promise your mouth will not be sore forever! Damaged appliances can increase the length of your treatment process, so be sure to take care of all your appliances. Your teeth and jaw can only move into their correct positions if you consistently wear the rubber bands, headgear, retainer, or other appliances prescribed by your doctor. The following hard foods can bend wires, or break brackets and tubes: Candied apples. Caramels, gummy candy, licorice. Carbonated beverages contain carbonic acid which will cause staining, erosion, and decalcifications (decay) of teeth. Foods to avoid with braces pdf sheet. Sticky or hard chocolate. Avoid sticky/chewy foods such as: - Raisins.
Playing Sports with Braces. Don't worry, you'll be eating popcorn and snacking on potato chips again in no time! Certain foods can damage braces components like the rubber bands, wires, or even the bracket itself. Loose Wires and Bands. Light crackers or cookies. Swish and gargle this solution in your mouth for just a couple of minutes (do not swallow the saltwater). It is extremely important to avoid ANY carbonated beverages including seltzer water, sodas, etc. What Foods Should I Avoid with Braces? Please avoid hard foods, sticky or chewy foods, and foods and drinks high in sugar content.
To prevent cavities, also avoid candy, soft drinks and items containing sugar. Hard foods — nuts, hard candies. Meats/poultry — soft cooked chicken, meatballs, lunch meats. Corn chips and hard tacos.
If your teeth begin feeling a little loose, don't worry; this is normal! Soft foods are most recommended for those who wear braces because they are gentler on braces hardware. The healthier your body is, the better the results of your orthodontic treatment because a proper diet provides essential nutrients to bones and tissues undergoing significant change during braces treatment. However, this is not an exhaustive list, so you must use common sense and your own good judgment. It's much too hard on your teeth, even without braces. Please call the office if you have any questions.