Certain foods should be avoided throughout the course of your orthodontic treatment.  

If you are considering orthodontic treatment to address a bite-related issue or to align your teeth, you might decide to get braces. Braces can be used to resolve a range of dental problems, but it is important to understand that the treatment requires a few lifestyle changes in order to achieve optimal results and prevent damage. Braces can make it difficult to eat some foods, so you’ll need to adjust your diet accordingly. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the food restrictions that come with braces. Keep in mind that every patient is different, so be sure to speak with your orthodontist about specific dietary restrictions.

What can you eat on the first day?

The process of having new braces fitted is not painful, but it is completely normal to experience some sensitivity and discomfort in the first few days following your fitment appointment. While you adjust to your new braces, it is a good idea to stick to soft foods that are easy to eat. Some good examples include mashed vegetables like potatoes and pumpkin; yoghurt; soups and broths; oatmeal; smoothies; and scrambled eggs. As long as you choose foods that are easy to chew, you should be fine.

In the first few days of your orthodontic treatment, there are a few foods that can cause irritation and exacerbate your discomfort. These include spicy foods; citrus fruits; and thick meats and breads.

Any sensitivity that you feel should resolve within a week or so, after which you will be able to resume most of your usual diet.

What can’t you eat with braces?

Although you will be able to enjoy a nutritious and varied diet whilst you have braces, there are a few foods that you should avoid completely during your treatment. Foods that are hard and sticky can cause serious damage to the components of your braces and should be avoided altogether. These include popcorn; ice; whole nuts; chewy and sticky candy; pizza crusts; hard breads; chips; and crunchy fruits and vegetables.

It is also advisable that you avoid sugary foods and drinks as much as possible while you have braces. Sugar contributes to the formation of plaque, which can be difficult to remove with braces. If plaque coats the teeth and is left to build-up, your risk of tooth decay will increase.

What if my braces are damaged?

By avoiding crunchy and sticky foods, it is often possible to prevent serious damage to your braces. If, however, you do notice that a wire or band is broken or loose, it is important that you see your orthodontist as soon as possible. Your orthodontist will be able to repair or replace the component to prevent discomfort and further damage.

In order to take care of your braces, be sure to adhere to any instructions that your orthodontist gives you regarding dietary restrictions, general maintenance and oral hygiene. This will ensure that your treatment stays on track, and that you enjoy excellent results in the expected time frame.

How can we help?

If you would like to straighten your smile, we can help. At Honeysuckle Dental, we offer Fastbraces, which is an innovative mechanical system designed to straighten the teeth quicky and safely. Treatment time with Fastbraces can range from as little as three months to a year, depending on your particular needs.

Fastbraces can be used to resolve a range of orthodontic issues, including overbite and spacing issues; cross bite, crowding of the teeth; high canines and open bite. If you are struggling with any of these problems, or would simply like to find out more about how Fastbraces work, we encourage you to come in and see us.

To find out more about Fastbraces and how the technology works, please have a look here.

To arrange a consultation, please get in touch with us here or give us a call on (02) 4915 9230.