Braces are a crucial part of both general and cosmetic dentistry, giving you a straighter smile. While you’re wearing them, though, there are foods that your orthodontist will advise against you eating. Learn more about what foods to avoid—and what you can replace them with—by reading below.

What Foods to Substitute When You Have Braces

1. Chewy Candy

Chewy and gummy candy such as marshmallows and caramels stick in your brackets and increase your risk of cavities and plaque buildup. Instead of reaching for them, try soft fruits cut into small pieces—like strawberries, peaches, blueberries, and peeled grapes—or make a fruit smoothie.

2. Tough Cereal

Hard, sugary cereal can bend or snap the wiring on your brackets and increase bacteria in your mouth. If you want something sweet in the morning, try oatmeal with honey or jam in it, or put a chocolate spread on a soft croissant.

3. Crunchy Snacks

Snack foods like crackers, popcorn, pretzels, nuts, and apples can bend or stick in your wiring and brackets. Aim for snacks like soft pieces of bread with hummus, steamed apples with cinnamon, boiled peanuts, or frozen yogurt instead.

4. Raw Vegetables

Vegetables are healthy, but when raw, they present issues with braces if they’re fibrous or hard, like celery. When you crave veggies, try steamed, boiled, or mashed instead of raw. They’ll retain their flavor and still be nutritious, but they are softer and easier to brush away from your teeth and brackets.

Have your braces become bent or broken from eating the wrong item? The team at Mosling Orthodontics in La Crosse, WI, offers affordable and efficient cosmetic dentistry services to the Coulee Region. With over 20 years of experience, this orthodontic specialist will provide attentive care with in-house services. Learn more about their services online, and call (608) 782-1950 to schedule a repair today.