Foods To Avoid
Foods to Avoid With Braces
We know that avoiding foods during orthodontic treatment isn’t easy, but it’s necessary. Snacks like candy or popcorn can get caught in your braces or aligners and be hard to remove. Enough food particles built up over time can cause harmful plaque and bacteria.
Brushing and flossing thoroughly to get rid of any buildup is key. Use mouthwash, fluoride toothpaste and water to help wash these foods away.
- Popcorn
- Tree nuts
- Corn chips
- Tortilla chips
- Potato chips
- Any hard, chewy or sticky candy (think starbursts, gummy bears, skittles, bubble gum)
- Ice cubes
- Hard pretzels
- Hard cookies or crackers
- Chocolate
- Chewy bars
- Raw granola
- Beef jerky
- Pizza crust
- Hard taco shells
- Trail mix
- Snack mixes
- Raisins
What Foods Can I Eat?
- Yogurt
- Meatballs
- Meatloaf
- Fish sticks
- Chicken Nuggets
- Oatmeal
- Waffles
- Sliced deli meat
- Egg salad
- Banana slices
- Orange slices
- Shredded cheese
- Soup
- Ramen
- Mashed potatoes
- Toast with butter
- Guacamole
- Smoothies
- Spaghetti
- Ravioli
- Macaroni and cheese
- Ice cream
- Cake
- Brownies
- Tofu
- Roasted vegetables
- Shredded chicken or beef
How To Eat Certain Foods
Not all hope is lost when it comes to maintaining a normal diet while going through treatment. Many foods can be crushed up or cut up.
This makes them easier to eat, especially when wearing braces. Delicious food items including raw vegetables, croutons, thin crust pizza, chicken, steak, hamburgers, sandwiches and corn on the cob can all be sliced and diced for easier consumption.
Cooking During Treatment
It’s hard to find new foods to eat, let alone if you have braces. Dental Associates has come up with a great list of dishes to cook when receiving treatment.
For breakfast, try pancakes, oatmeal, French toast and eggs. For lunch, go with applesauce, pudding, soft cheeses, potato salad, cole slaw and chicken nuggets. For dinner, try out cornbread, meatballs, meatloaf, crab cakes, beans and squash. For dessert, soft pastries, cake and ice cream are all good options.