Braces-Friendly Foods
Welcome to Pacific Northwest Orthodontics in Tacoma! We take great pride in helping our patients achieve beautiful, healthy smiles through personalized orthodontic care. Whether you’re a teenager embarking on your orthodontic journey or an adult looking to perfect your smile, we, as your trusted orthodontist in Tacoma, understand the challenges that come. One of the most common concerns for our patients is finding braces-friendly foods that allow them to enjoy the delicious local cuisine without compromising their treatment progress.
Having braces can be frustrating when you must be cautious about eating certain foods or avoiding them altogether. Ensuring your braces don’t bend or break is vital when trying to straighten your teeth quickly and properly. Our team has come up with a list of foods to avoid and which foods you can enjoy while you have braces.
No matter how careful you are, excessive chewing of hard-to-eat foods will eventually cause problems for you and your braces. Knowing what you can and cannot eat at a meal may be helpful when you first get your braces on.
Some foods are too hard for braces because they can break wires or create damage that will have to be fixed by our team.
Food to avoid while wearing braces
- Hard Candies: Avoid jawbreakers and lollipops that can break brackets and bend wires, leading to discomfort and treatment delays.
- Gum: Avoid rushing through meals and chew each bite thoroughly to prevent discomfort and minimize the risk of damaging your traditional braces in Tacoma.
- Nuts: While nutritious, nuts can exert excessive pressure on braces, potentially causing issues with brackets or wires.
- Popcorn: Skip popcorn to prevent hulls and kernels from getting stuck between your teeth and braces, which may lead to irritation or damage.
- Hard Raw Vegetables or Fruits: Exercise caution with crunchy vegetables and hard fruits; cutting them into small pieces will help reduce the risk of damage to your braces.
- Ice: Avoid chewing on ice, as the extreme pressure can loosen brackets or snap wires, impacting the effectiveness of your treatment.
- Chips: Say no to hard and crunchy chips like tortilla and potato chips, as they can harm brackets and wires.
There are plenty of safe options for breakfast. They include eggs, yogurt, pancakes, oatmeal, soft toast, bananas, and even bacon.
Avoid hard or abrasive foods, undercooked vegetables, or apples for lunch. Safer options include a delicious stew, a soft-breaded deli sandwich, or a mixed salad. Always be careful when biting into foods, and try to cut solid meal items into small chewable portions whenever possible.
A healthy braces-friendly dinner can come in many forms. Soft, steamed vegetables paired with a lean protein make a great option. The addition of rice or quinoa can complete the meal. Just remember to brush and floss after because these small grains are likely to get stuck between braces and teeth.
Dr. Mark Sundberg will tighten your braces during your treatment at each checkup. Braces tightening can sometimes leave your teeth feeling sore afterward.
Food to eat while wearing braces
- Pudding: Indulge in the creamy goodness of pudding without worrying about harming your braces. This delightful dessert is gentle on your orthodontic appliances and comes in a variety of flavors to satisfy your sweet cravings.
- Mashed Potatoes: Soft, smooth, and comforting, mashed potatoes are a braces-friendly side dish that pairs well with various main courses. Loaded with flavor, they’re a perfect addition to your orthodontic diet.
- Soup: Warm and nourishing, soups are excellent for braces-friendly meals. Whether it’s a hearty vegetable soup or a comforting chicken noodle, you can enjoy the goodness of soups without orthodontic worries.
- Ice Cream: Treat yourself to a scoop of soft ice cream, and let its creamy texture melt away any braces-related stress. Just remember to avoid toppings that might be hard or sticky.
- Cottage Cheese: A protein-packed snack that’s easy on your braces, cottage cheese is a fantastic option to keep you fueled throughout the day. Enjoy it plain, or mix in some fresh fruits for added flavor.
- Peas: These small but mighty green veggies are braces-friendly and rich in essential nutrients. Whether added to a salad or served as a side, peas are a healthy and tasty choice.
- Pasta: Al dente pasta is a braces-friendly carbohydrate that opens up a world of culinary possibilities. From classic spaghetti to creamy fettuccine Alfredo, you can confidently enjoy various pasta dishes.
- Yogurt: Smooth and packed with probiotics, yogurt is braces-friendly and great for oral health. It’s a versatile snack that can be enjoyed alone or with fruits and granola.
- Muffins: Soft and delectable muffins make for a braces-safe breakfast or snack option. Opt for varieties without hard nuts or sticky toppings to ensure a worry-free treat.
A braces-friendly diet is crucial for preserving your braces as well as for supporting general oral health and well-being, according to Pacific Northwest Orthodontics. You may ensure that your orthodontic journey goes smoothly and is enjoyable by selecting soft and nourishing foods.
Our knowledgeable Pacific Northwest Orthodontics staff is available to help throughout your orthodontic journey. Schedule a consultation with us if you have issues or require customized dietary advice. We are dedicated to giving you first-rate care and assisting you in achieving the beautiful smile of your dreams. Accept the fun of wearing braces, and allow us to work with you to develop a lifelong, healthy, and attractive smile.