What You Can and Cannot Eat with Braces
At Discover Orthodontics, we love helping families in Brampton and Burlington feel good about their smiles. Whether getting Brampton braces for the first time or exploring options for your teen, our friendly team is committed to making the journey easy to understand and smooth so you can feel at ease.
Dr. Bart and our team at Discover Orthodontics love helping people feel great about their smiles. We use the latest treatments and take time to care for every patient like family. One of the biggest changes with braces in Burlington is what you can and can't eat. Let's take a closer look at how to handle food during treatment.
Why Certain Foods Matter When You Have Braces
Braces work hard to straighten your teeth, and you've got to protect that investment. Some foods can damage brackets or wires, delay treatment, or trap bacteria in tricky places. Your Brampton & Burlington orthodontist will guide you at every step, but having a quick reference can make everyday eating easier.
When you avoid the right foods, you'll experience:
- Fewer broken wires or brackets
- Less soreness during adjustments
- A lower risk of plaque buildup around brackets
Foods to Avoid with Braces
One of the most common questions we get is, "What can't I eat with braces?" While it might feel like a big list at first, avoiding certain foods will help protect your brackets and wires so you can stay on track with treatment.
Sticky or chewy foods like caramels, gummy bears, taffy, and licorice can stick to your braces. They're hard to clean off and can break brackets or wires. This can slow your treatment and lead to extra visits or repairs, so it's best to avoid them.
Hard or crunchy snacks like nuts, popcorn, ice, or chips can crack wires or even pop a bracket loose if you bite down the wrong way. Tough breads and meats, such as bagels, jerky, or thick pizza crusts, are also tricky because they require strong chewing or tugging, which puts pressure on your Brampton braces.
And while it's tempting, sugary treats like soda, candy bars, and sports drinks should be limited or avoided altogether, since sugar sticks to brackets and can lead to decay or white spots around the brackets.
If you're ever unsure about what's safe to eat, a good rule of thumb is this: if it's soft and easy to chew, you're probably in the clear. If it's sticky, tough, or crunchy, it's better to wait until after treatment.
Braces-Friendly Foods That Make Eating Easy
There are still plenty of delicious foods that work well with braces and won't cause problems. Soft and smooth foods are your best bet; yogurt, mashed potatoes, smoothies, and scrambled eggs are easy on your mouth and appliances.
Cooked veggies, soft fruits like bananas and berries, and tender meats like shredded chicken or baked fish are also great options. Pasta is another favorite that's both filling and braces-friendly.
These foods help you avoid irritation and make it easier to keep your braces clean and intact, especially during the first few days after an adjustment.
Call Us Today for Expert Braces Care in Brampton and Burlington
Regarding braces, we've got your back and your bite. Whether you're ready to start treatment or just exploring your options, visit us in Brampton or Burlington. Our expert orthodontists will help you feel confident about every decision, including what's on your plate.
Book your consultation with Discover Orthodontics today, and let's start your smile journey.
