Before you start your orthodontic journey at Camellia Orthodontics, you may be wondering about which foods you can eat and which you should avoid.
Certain foods can damage your braces in Lafayette, which can lead to discomfort and delays in your treatment. Therefore, your diet plays a big role in the long-term success of your orthodontic care! Here are a few tips on what you should (and shouldn’t) eat while straightening your smile.
FOODS TO AVOID WHILE WEARING BRACES
Let’s start with what you shouldn’t eat. Here are a few of our top recommendations on foods to avoid during your orthodontic treatment:
- Crunchy foods – Crunchy foods can loosen and damage your brackets and wires, causing issues with your treatment. You should avoid things like chips and popcorn.
- Sticky foods – Sticky foods can also damage your braces. They tend to be difficult to remove from your teeth and braces and can contribute to tooth decay (particularly if the food is sugary). Avoid sticky foods like caramel, taffy, licorice, and chewing gum.
- Hard foods – Nuts, hard candies and the like can be tough to bite into with sore teeth, and they may damage your braces. You should also avoid chewing ice – with or without braces.
- Chewy foods – Extra chewy foods like beef jerky are best avoided while wearing braces. They can loosen or damage your orthodontic hardware.
- Foods you have to bite into – You should avoid biting directly into foods like apples or corn-on-the-cob. This can damage your brackets or other orthodontic hardware. You can cut fruits and vegetables into smaller, bite-sized pieces to eat them while wearing braces.
FOODS TO EAT WHILE WEARING BRACES
After reading the list above, it may seem like you can’t eat anything while wearing braces. Fortunately, that’s not the case! There are plenty of options that you can choose from to maintain a healthy diet. A few examples include:
- Dairy and cheese products
- Pasta
- Pancakes and soft bread
- Most raw vegetables and all cooked vegetables
- Fruits
- Rice and potatoes
- Seafood, poultry, and other meats
- Cakes, ice cream, and other desserts
The most important consideration is diligent brushing and flossing after meals – especially if you’re enjoying something sweet! And if you have any questions about whether a food is okay or not, please ask Dr. Bozner and the team at Camellia Orthodontics during your checkup.
VISIT CAMELLIA ORTHODONTICS, YOUR CHOICE FOR BRACES IN OPELOUSAS AND LAFAYETTE
If you’re interested in orthodontic care, Lafayette and Opelousas orthodontist Dr. Bozner and the team at Camellia Orthodontics are here to help you get the smile you deserve! Give us a call at (337) 291-9141 (Lafayette) or (337) 948-3491 (Opelousas) or contact us online for more information. We’re accepting new patients, so please schedule your orthodontic consultation today!