Life with Braces

When you have braces, it's essential to take care of your teeth and the braces themselves by making mindful food choices as well as avoiding bad habits. 

Foods to Eat with Braces

Stick to soft and easy-to-chew foods that won't damage your brackets or wires.

• Dairy: Yogurt, soft cheeses, and milk-based desserts.
• Fruits: Soft fruits like bananas, kiwis, peaches, and applesauce. (Cut harder fruits into small pieces.)
• Vegetables: Cooked or steamed vegetables like carrots, broccoli, and spinach.
• Proteins: Eggs, fish, chicken (cut into small pieces), tofu, and soft deli meats.
• Grains: Pasta, rice, soft bread, and pancakes.
• Snacks: Smoothies, puddings, and soft muffins.
• Treats: Ice cream (without nuts or hard chunks), Jell-O, and soft chocolate.

Foods to Avoid with Braces

Avoid hard, sticky, or chewy foods that can damage your braces.

• Hard Foods:
  • Nuts, hard candies, and ice.
  • Hard crusts (like bagels or pizza crust).
• Sticky/Chewy Foods:
  • Caramel, toffee, and gummy candies.
• Crunchy Foods:
  • Chips, taco shells, and crackers (opt for softer alternatives or crumble them).
• Sugary Foods:
  • Limit candy, sodas, and sweet treats to avoid cavities around brackets.

Bad Habits with Braces:

• Avoid chewing on ice cubes, pens, pencils, water bottles, or biting fingernails 

Loose Teeth

If your teeth begin feeling a little loose, don't worry; this is normal! Your braces must first loosen your teeth to move them into the right position. Once your teeth have been repositioned, they will no longer be loose.

Playing Sports with Braces

Game, Set, Match — we have great news for athletes! You can still play sports even while undergoing orthodontic treatment! If you do play sports, it's recommended that you wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth and your braces. Let Dr. Barnett know if you need help finding the right mouthguard for the best protection.

In case of a sports emergency, be sure to immediately check your mouth and appliance for damage. If you notice any loose teeth or appliance damage, please contact our office right away.