Eating With Braces
As long as you're careful, and keep a few limitations in mind, wearing braces shouldn't limit your diet too much!
What can you eat?
You probably already have some idea of what you should and shouldn't eat while wearing braces. Essentially, anything that can cause damage to your braces is off-limits!
For the first few days you have your braces, stick to soft foods. Avoid tough meats, hard bread, and raw vegetables.
You'll be able to bite a cucumber again before long. But you'll still need to protect your orthodontic appliances when you eat for as long as you're wearing braces.
Foods to Avoid
In general, try to avoid the following types of food:
- Chewy foods: bagels, hard rolls, licorice
- Crunchy foods: popcorn, ice, chips.
- Sticky foods: caramels, gum.
- Hard foods: nuts, candy
- Foods you have to bite into (corn on the cob, apples, carrots)
Keep in mind also, if you're in the habit of chewing on hard things (for example, pens, pencils, or fingernails), this can damage your braces, which could result in your treatment taking longer than planned.
Above all, use your best judgment. If it looks like it could damage your braces, don't eat it!