Patient Info

Wearing Braces in San Jose? Avoid These Foods.

Getting braces has many benefits. Not only do you finish with a straighter smile, but orthodontic treatment can also result in a better bite, better oral hygiene, and higher self-esteem. However, a beautiful smile does come with a bit of sacrifice mostly in the form of watching what you eat. At Lennard Orthodontics, we do everything we can to give you a smile to be proud of, which is why we want to make sure you have all the information you need to take proper care of your braces.

What Should I Not Eat With Braces?

When you're wearing braces, there are some foods that it is just best to go without. Basically, one should avoid anything too hard and crunchy, or too sticky and chewy. They can easily damage your brackets and wires and set back your orthodontic treatment. However, it is not only the food in question, but also the way that it is eaten. For example, one should not bite directly into an apple, but if it is cut into small pieces first then it should be fine. Similarly, if popcorn is eaten one piece at a time it is safer than chomping down on a handful, which might contain a kernel. For now, try to avoid:

  • Thick Tortilla Chips
  • Pizza Crust
  • Beef Jerky
  • Ice
  • Taffy, Chewing Gum
  • Hard or Chewy Candies
  • Nuts & Seeds

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When it comes to protecting your braces, make sure you're also always avoiding foods that require you to forcefully bite with your two front teeth...like a raw carrot.

Delicious Brace-Friendly Treats

Although you may be slightly limited by these brace-friendly restrictions, there are still many classic treats you can enjoy! Some of our favorites include

  • Mac & Cheese
  • Bananas
  • Peanut Butter & Jelly
  • Mashed Potatoes
  • Grapes
  • Yogurt

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Contact Lennard Orthodontics With Any Questions!

Having braces is exciting, and the extra effort to protect them is definitely worth the confident smile that you will get as a result. Throughout your treatment it is important to maintain a balanced diet in order to ensure that your body gets all of the nutrients it needs to be receptive to the changes going on inside your mouth. If you want to know more about what foods to avoid, or have any other questions about life with braces, we encourage you to contact us anytime at our San Jose orthodontic office for more info!