Foods To Avoid With Adult Braces
Whether you’ve already started your adult braces treatment here with our orthodontists in Loughborough, or you’re interested in treatment for the future, it’s worth knowing what you can and can not eat – and whether you’ll need to make any adjustments to your diet.
Before we begin, a word of clarification: some types of adult brace, such as Invisalign, are removable, which means you will need to take them out when you eat (although the advantage to this is you can eat what you like!). So, we’ll be focusing on fixed braces and lingual braces in this post.
1) Nuts
Not only can these damage your teeth in general, but they can damage your fixed appliances, too. We also warn patients of the effects of nail-biting, pen-chewing and other bad habits on your adult braces.
✓ Instead, why not snack on some soft cheese, soft bread or fruit such as a banana?
2) Chewing gum
Our orthodontists usually advocate for chewing sugar-free gum – it’s been shown that it increases saliva production, which can have protective benefits for tooth enamel. In the case of adult braces, however, there’s a big difference – wires, brackets and apparatus that can get sticky gum caught between, which can be difficult even for a seasoned orthodontist to remove.
✓ As an alternative, we would suggest sucking a mint or using some mouthwash if you need to give your breath some freshness.
3) Hard sweets and candies
Crunchy, chewy sweets can seem almost impossible to resist at times, but again, they can damage your adult braces, which can be costly. Our orthodontists warn against this type of sweet treat.
✓ If you need to satisfy a sweet tooth, why not try ice cream or a soft dessert such as cake?
4) Ice
Just like nails and pen lids, ice can be damaging to the teeth (potentially causing fractures, cracks and breaks) and also your adult braces. Even smaller pieces of ice, like the type you might find at your favourite fast-food restaurant, can be a problem.
✓ That’s not to say you can’t enjoy ice in your drink – just don’t chew it!
5) Corn on the cob
Not only can this troublesome food get caught in your adult braces, but it can put pressure on your front teeth.
✓ We would suggest ditching the cob and eating sweetcorn instead.
What can I eat with adult braces?
On the whole, softer foods are recommended – think pasta, soft fruits, mashed potatoes and yoghurt. If in doubt, talk to your orthodontist.
Interested in adult braces? Get in touch
Our expert orthodontists await! To find out more about adult braces in Loughborough, contact us today on our dedicated page. You can also fill out the booking form to leave your details. We look forward to speaking with you soon!