It’s important for you to know how to properly take care of your braces throughout your entire orthodontic treatment. Most of our patients find it really easy to adjust – and many carry their new good habits forwards even after treatment is complete. Below are some helpful guidelines for you to keep in mind throughout your treatment.
What To Eat
- Foods to Avoid With Braces
- Chewy foods — bagels, licorice
- Crunchy foods — popcorn, chips, ice
- Hard foods — nuts, hard candies
- Sticky foods — caramel candies,
- chewing gum — sugar-free gum is okay
- Foods you have to bite into — corn on the cob, apples, carrots
- Foods You Can Eat With Braces
- Dairy — soft cheese, pudding, milk-based drinks
- Breads — soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins without nuts
- Grains — pasta, soft cooked rice
- Meats/poultry — soft cooked chicken, meatballs, lunch meats
- Seafood — tuna, salmon, crab cakes
- Vegetables — mashed potatoes, steamed spinach, beans
- Fruits — applesauce, bananas, sliced fruit, most berries (but watch out for seeds)
- Treats — ice cream without nuts, milkshakes, Jell-O, cake
Helpful Tips
We recommend you use a soft bristled tooth brush with a small head. Electric and sonic tooth brushes are also acceptable.Brush your teeth after meals and snacks.If you have eaten while away from home, use your interdental brush to dislodge any food that may get caught around your braces.Rinsing with water is another way to dislodge food from your braces, and to keep sugar from sitting on your teeth.Floss your teeth at least once a day.We recommend that you have a check up with your dentist every 6 months.
