Can I Eat Chips with Braces?
Long Beach, CA – One of the most common questions orthodontists are asked is what foods patients will need to avoid during their orthodontic treatment. This is important because some foods, especially those that are too hard, crunchy, sticky, or chewy, can damage the brackets and wires.
The Sacrifice for a Stunning Smile
We know that making the sacrifice of avoiding some of your favorite foods during orthodontic treatment can be hard. But we promise that your gorgeous smile will be worth it! So, what is on the do-not-eat list, and what can you still enjoy?
Crunchy/hard foods
We all love a good crunchy snack, but this is one of the top culprits that can damage braces. They are hard on the brackets and wires, causing them to warp or even break. We don’t want anything to set your treatment back, so we recommend saying no to crunchy foods. But there are some alternatives you can try.
- Swap Cheetos for Cheetos Puffs
- Swap popcorn for Pirate’s Booty
- Swap Kettle brand potato chips for Pringles or Lays
- Swap tortilla chips for pita or flour tortillas
There are some other things you’ll need to avoid to ensure your braces aren’t damaged. This includes hard foods you bite directly into, such as apples, carrots, or corn on the cob, as well as tough meats. Cut these foods into bite sized pieces or slices to enjoy without fear of breaking a bracket. Corn on the cob should be cut off the cob to enjoy.
Chewy/sticky Foods
Similar to crunchy foods, chewy foods can pull on your brackets and wires and cause damage. It’s best to avoid chewy foods, such as pizza crusts, bagels, crusty bread, tough meat, etc. You should also avoid anything that is too sticky. This includes caramel, taffy, marshmallows, gum, etc. We know many favorite candies may contain sticky, chewy, or even crunchy components. You don’t have to avoid your favorite treats altogether, but we advise our patients to make smart choices.
- Swap candy bars that contain nougat, nuts, or caramel with a plain chocolate bar
- Swap taffy or caramel for a soft ice cream or pudding
- Swap hard cookies or brownies for soft baked treats, such as cake or cupcakes
Beverage Guidelines for Braces Wearers
We also recommend avoiding things that can stain your teeth. Limit your intake of coffee, tea, and dark colored sodas. Drinks with carbonation should also be avoided or drank in moderation, as the carbonation can actually break down the adhesive holding the braces in place and cause breakage to occur.
Brace-Friendly Foods: Indulge Without Fear
But don’t worry, there are still plenty of things you can enjoy while in braces!
- Soft cheese
- yogurt
- pudding
- ice cream
- smoothies
- soft tortillas
- pancakes
- muffins
- cupcakes
- waffles
- soft pretzels
- pasta
- rice
- oatmeal
- cereal
- tender cuts of meat
- meatballs
- hot dogs
- seafood
- ground turkey/beef
- cut up vegetables
- cooked vegetables
- mashed potatoes
- salads
- cut up fruit
- bananas
- grapes
- berries
- citrus fruit
- applesauce
- sandwiches
- burgers
- Jell-O
- soft baked pies
- chocolate
- donuts
- milkshakes
The Importance of Diet in Orthodontic Success
Maintaining a healthy diet is important to ensuring proper oral health. The healthier your body, the better your orthodontic treatment outcome will be. If you have questions during your treatment about foods you can and can’t eat, don’t hesitate to ask. Your orthodontic team is here to help ensure your treatment is successful and that you can get the results you desire. By working together, we can ensure a gorgeous, healthy smile at the end of treatment.