If you or your child has just had new braces put on your teeth, you may be wondering what foods are off-limits and which ones you can still safely eat. While it isn’t too easy to damage your braces, you don’t want to be reckless with your meals. Along with practicing proper dental care, keep the following advice in mind to prevent food from getting stuck in the hardware.

How to Eat Safely When You Have Braces

Foods You Should Avoid

The first rule to eating when you’re wearing braces is to use your back teeth for chewing. Cutting your food up into small pieces will also help you avoid damaging your orthodontic work. In general, stay away from chewy, sticky, and hard foods that can potentially damage your wires and bands. These include popcorn, nuts, bagels, ice, chewing gum, and caramels.

You should also avoid corn on the cob, apples, and other foods you need to bite into with force. Overly sugary foods like hard candy should be avoided for proper dental care because they can encourage the growth of tooth-damaging bacteria, which are harder to fight when wearing braces.

Foods You Can Have

When you first have your braces installed, stick to soft foods that won’t cause you discomfort or pain while your teeth are still sensitive. Mashed potatoes, yogurt, soft fruits, and soups are healthy examples.

After your teeth have become accustomed to your new braces, you can add some tougher items like cheese, pasta, crackers, cookies, and hull-less popcorn. No matter what you eat, be sure to maintain a healthy and balanced diet the entire time you have your orthodontic hardware in place.

Learn more helpful dental care tips and find out the best ways to care for your braces and teeth by contacting Lowitz & Meier. This family dentist provides the highest-quality dental care treatments to adults and children throughout the Cincinnati, OH, area. In fact, the practice had the prestigious honor of winning the Angie’s List® Super Service Award in 2013. Schedule your next dental appointment by calling (513) 521-8900 or learn more about the practice online.