Premier Dental Care |337 Hancock StGallatinTN37066 | (615) 452-1292
Premier Dental Care
337 Hancock St
GallatinTN 37066
 (615) 452-1292
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Sweet Treats to Avoid When You Have Braces

Sweet Treats to Avoid When You Have Braces

It seems like you see a bowl of candy or a plate of cookies and other sweet treats every time you turn around these days. While you want to choose your snacks in moderation for health reasons, it’s also important to avoid eating certain things when you wear braces. This is true whether you have traditional metal and wire braces or you have opted for treatment with Invisalign® braces.

Not only can certain food items break your braces, but the need for repair could delay progress in your orthodontic treatment. Some patients think they don’t have to abide by food restrictions since they wear Invisalign retainers. While it’s true that you can remove your retainers, doing so too often will delay your progress as well. It should go without saying that eating some of the forbidden sweets while wearing your aligners just isn’t a good idea.

Foods People with Braces Should Avoid

Christmas and Hanukkah may be officially over, but you’re likely to have cookies and candy at home and work well into the new year. As with dieting, you can’t allow yourself even a small bit of foods that could damage your braces. That will only make it more tempting to eat more. At Premier Dental Care, we advise all orthodontic patients to stay away from these three items in particular:

  1. Candy canes: Candy canes and winter holidays go together, but they’re also sticky and loaded with sugar. That’s not to mention what could happen to your braces if you bite into one.
  2. Caramel: Many holiday treats include caramel as an ingredient, so make sure you know exactly what you’re eating. Caramel can be impossible to get out of braces and make it more likely that something will break.
  3. Nuts: Did your uncle give you a gift of walnuts or peanuts? Just thank him politely and pass it on to someone who doesn’t wear braces.

Although it seems like the holiday season starts earlier every year, it does end eventually. However, you still need to avoid certain foods throughout the year. Hard candy and taffy top the list

Foods to Avoid Any Time of Year

Although it seems like the holiday season starts earlier every year, it does end eventually. However, you still need to avoid certain foods throughout the year. Hard candy and taffy top the list for reasons we mentioned above. You also need to avoid foods that are good for you such as whole fruits and vegetables. Fortunately, you can still cut them into pieces and eat them that way; biting into the whole thing makes things risky when you wear braces.

Popcorn is always on the forbidden list during orthodontic treatment. The kernels can become lodged in a bracket of your braces and break them. We also advise you to stay away from foods high in sugar and acid as well as foods that stain your teeth. They can make it more challenging than it already is to keep your teeth clean with braces.

Considering Orthodontic Treatment this Year? Contact Us

Whether you have a question about your braces or are considering orthodontic treatment for yourself or your child, we welcome you to contact us at Premier Dental Care today at 615-452-1292.