Written by Dr. Chaw Su Kyi on July 23, 2014
The foods and beverages you consume while wearing braces directly affect the outcome of your braces treatment
In this article, I’d like to discuss the importance of making the proper food choices while undergoing your brace treatment, as the foods you choose will in large determine your brace-wearing success.
Foods to eat (and how to eat them)
Luckily, with a little bit of ingenuity, brace wearers may indulge in a multitude of their favourite foods and beverages. For instance, you may still enjoy a delicious bag of popcorn, as long as you avoid the kernels as well as any pieces that are not entirely popped. Likewise, snacks such as crisps and crackers may be eaten, provided they are first broken into small pieces and chewed with the back teeth; the same goes for fruit and raw vegetables. Fizzy/carbonated drinks are not recommended, but may be consumed in small amounts occasionally at mealtimes and preferably using a straw. Lastly, many brace wearers are ecstatic to discover they may still eat frozen yoghurt!
Foods to Avoid
Along with the good news comes the bad, but remember, this situation is only temporary. Your braces will be off in no time, and you’ll be able to return to eating anything and everything your heart desires.
Topping the, what NOT to eat list, is anything sticky or chewy. This includes toffee, caramel, sweets, jelly beans and hard chocolate bars to name a few. Hard foods, such as pizza crust, hard sweets, ice cubes, nuts and crusty bread should also be avoided, as they can damage your braces and extend your wear time. The same holds true for hard-centred foods such as ribs, chicken drumsticks, and corn on the cob, which may only be eaten if you remove the meat from the bone or corn from the cob prior to consumption.
Other
In addition to watching what you eat while wearing braces, you’ll also want to be aware of any potentially damaging habits you might have, such as fingernail biting and chewing on pens and pencils. These bad habits should be avoided for the duration of your treatment, so as not to break or loosen braces.
These tips and tricks, if followed diligently, will optimize your braces treatment, and the superior smile that results will be well worth the small sacrifice.
If you are considering braces and have some concerns you would like to address, please schedule a consultation at my centre in Hammersmith in West London or my new centre in Harley Place Central London. I would be happy to meet with you, answer your questions, and provide you with multiple braces options to cater to your individual lifestyle and preferences.
