Braces get a bad reputation for being a “diet restrict-er,” and yes, while it is true that you will need to modify your diet during your treatment, you might be surprised how little your diet actually changes. At DiMarzio Orthodontics, we know that your diet is a significant part of your daily routine. Food brings comfort, joy, energy, and excitement into your everyday life. It also brings people together and is a connection between cultures. We don’t want your braces to take that away from you!
Knowing what you can and cannot eat can be confusing at first, so Dr. DiMarzo, Dr. Marczak, and their team have put together this list of what is acceptable and what isn’t to make the transition as easy as possible!
“No!” Foods
Eating the right foods is crucial for a pleasant orthodontic experience and minimal orthodontic emergencies. Whether you have metal or ceramic braces, you will need to protect your braces by only eating food approved by the DiMarzio Orthodontics team.
Eating “No!” foods can damage your brackets and wires, potentially causing you unnecessary pain and discomfort. These “wrong” foods can also get stuck in your appliances and be hard to remove. If this happens consistently, your oral hygiene routine will become frustrating or challenging, and you will be less likely to clean your teeth, gums, and braces adequately. An unclean mouth will leave you vulnerable to oral health issues such as tooth decay, gum disease, and more that can cause temporary or permanent damage to your smile.
Over time, your urge to eat these “No!” foods will decrease, and your new diet won’t feel so weird. If it helps, maybe you can find solace in the promise that the diet adjustment is only temporary, and you will soon get to eat the food you crave in no time.
You want to avoid food that is hard, crunchy, sticky, or chewy. Any food you must bite into is also a big “No!” because it puts your front brackets at risk. Let’s look at specific food examples you should dodge until your braces are removed.
- Popcorn.
- Chips.
- Oreos.
- Hard Taco Shells.
- Ice Cream Cones.
- Taffy, Caramel, And Other Sticky Candies.
- Hard Candies, like lollipops, Jolly Ranchers, Lifesavers, et cetera.
- Gummies.
- Crackers.
- Beef Jerky.
- Ice Chewing.
- Nuts.
- Stringy Vegetables Like Celery And Other Hard/Crunchy Vegetables.
- Crunchy Or Hard Whole Fruits.
- Hard Cough Drops.
- Corn On The Cob.
- Hard, Fried food.
Bonus Tip For Clear Braces: Our clear brackets are highly unlikely to stain, but their ligatures (the bands that hold the wire to the bracket) can become discolored. You shouldn’t stress because we change the ligatures every few weeks. Still, if keeping your braces as low-profile as possible is your priority, you should avoid food known for staining, such as coffee, tea, wine, and tomato-based products. You can also rinse your mouth with water after every meal to remove leftover residue for extra protection.
“Yes!” Foods
If you read that list and said, “I thought my braces were rust-resistant and durable! Why can’t I eat anything!” or felt like we have removed many of your favorite foods from your grocery list, don’t get too discouraged! Your appliances are rust-resistant and durable, but they need your help to last as long as possible so that you can spend less time in our office and more time doing what you want!
The following are some DiMarzio Orthodontic-approved food that will keep you and your braces in top-notch shape!
- Pasta!
- Soft, Boneless Meat!
- Casseroles!
- Boiled Or Steamed Vegetables!
- Soft Fruits!
- French Fries!
- Rice!
- Sugar-Free ADA-Approved Gum!
- Sandwiches!
- Lunch Meat!
- Soups!
- Soft Bread!
- Yogurts!
- Smoothies!
- Pudding!
- Ice cream!
- Soft Cheeses!
- Eggs!
The above list is not fully inclusive or specific because many items have endless variations. Instead of considering braces as taking away options, consider them an excuse to try things you would not have otherwise considered, such as a soup you always see on the menu but never order. You’ll find it hard to get bored of all the flavors available, and you can still consume all your daily nutrients.
Bonus Tip: Remember to cut solid food into small, bite-sized pieces to protect your braces.
Visit DiMarzio Orthodontics To Find Out If Your Favorite Snack Is A “Yes!”
At DiMarzio Orthodontics, we love helping the people of the South Shore area improve their quality of life through their smiles! We know that transitioning into braces can require some adjustment to your lifestyle, and it can be hard to figure out on your own. Luckily, you are not alone! You have the entirety of our team at your disposal to help you have a fantastic experience and achieve stunning results.
Contact our Quincy office to talk to our knowledgeable staff. They also help you make an appointment over the phone! To find out if you qualify for braces, schedule a free consultation!
We look forward to meeting you soon!