Braces in West Windsor: 5 Foods You Can’t Eat with Braces

Metal, ceramic, or lingual braces in West Windsor all come with brackets and wires. Their goal is to move teeth into the right position using these elements to achieve straight teeth and properly aligned jaws. However, the downside to brackets and wires is that there are foods you can’t eat with braces as they can get stuck in the braces, creating a difficult situation to clean.

There is no need to worry as wearing braces in West Windsor isn’t a permanent thing. While undergoing treatment, you need to maintain and take care of braces to ensure that your teeth straighten as expected. When you do so, you don’t compromise the treatment and make it any longer for your orthodontist to complete treatment.

To make sure you’re braces in West Windsor are in top form, here is a list of the five main food categories you can’t eat with braces.

#1 – Hard or Crunchy Foods

Hard and crunchy foods can cause braces to break or even bend the wire. To avoid braces wire breakage or bending, you can cut these types of food into small pieces before eating so that the braces do not have to bear the full crunchy or hard pressure of the food. If they are fruits or veggies, you can also consider turning them into refreshing smoothies.

List of Hard or Crunchy Foods You Can’t Eat with Braces

• Hard candy
• Nuts (almonds, walnuts, etc)
• Popcorn
• Ice cubes
• Chips
• Tortilla chips
• Croutons
• Carrots
• Apples
• Celery

#2 – Sticky or Chewy Foods

Sticky or chewy foods are a braces no-no as they can get stuck between braces and teeth. Sticky foods do not come off easily, making it very hard for braces to be cleaned and bacteria to grow. And since a lot of these sticky foods consist of sugar, it could also lead to cavities and plaque buildup.

List of Sticky or Chewy Foods You Can’t Eat with Braces

• Chewing gum
• Toffee
• Gummy Bears
• Caramel
• Jellybeans
• Raisins
• Fruit Roll-ups
• Dried Fruits

#3 – Sugary Foods and Drinks

Sugary foods and drinks can cause the braces to become weak, resulting in braces breakage and difficulty in tooth alignment. The sugar can also cause plaque build-up, which can lead to cavities and other gum diseases. Although these foods aren’t specifically prohibited, you need to make sure to rinse your mouth or even brush your teeth after eating or drinking sugary items. You may also take them in moderation.

List of Sugary Foods and Drinks You Need to Take in Moderation with Braces

• Soda
• Sweets (candy, chocolate, etc)
• Fruit juices
• Cake
• Ice cream
• Pies
• Cookies
• Honey
• Syrup

#4 – Tough Meats and Seafood

Tough meats and seafood are not braces-friendly as they can get caught between braces and teeth. Eating tough meats and seafood with braces, if not cut into small pieces, can cause braces to break and bend. The grain of the meat and seafood can also get stuck, leaving braces extremely difficult to clean. If you’re going to eat any of these, make sure to floss or use interdental brushes to get into the small spaces.

List of Tough Meats and Seafood You Need to Take in Moderation with Braces

• Steak
• Lamb chops
• Pork chop
• Shrimp
• Augustine fish
• Mussels
• Clams

#5 – Tough Bread

Tough bread can be difficult to bite with braces and can get stuck, making it hard to clean braces. To avoid this issue, you can opt to buy softer bread such as muffins, pancakes, French toast, and even waffles.

List of Tough Bread You Can’t Eat with Braces

• Bagels
• Pretzels
• Crusty bread
• Toast
• Baguettes

Foods You Can Eat with Braces

While there are restrictions to braces, you still have plenty of food choices available. Soft foods like mashed potatoes, yogurt, and oatmeal are braces-friendly and can provide essential nutrients to keep braces in West Windsor strong and healthy. You can also enjoy soft fruits, cooked veggies, eggs, pasta, and cheese.

Here is a list of braces-friendly food items:

• Mashed potatoes
• Smoothies
• Yogurt
• Oatmeal
• Soft fruits (banana, kiwi, etc)
• Cooked veggies (zucchini, squash, etc)
• Eggs
• Pasta
• Soft cheese
• Fish (e.g. salmon, cod)
• Rice
• Ground beef/turkey
• Tofu

Importance of Taking Good Care of Your Braces in West Windsor

It is important to take good care of braces in West Windsor so that you can have effective braces treatment. Eating braces-friendly food and avoiding braces no-no food can help ensure braces are strong and braces treatment is successful. Regularly brushing teeth and flossing braces can also prevent plaque build-up and cavities.

You also need to visit your orthodontist regularly so they can check braces and make the necessary adjustments. This will ensure braces are in the right place and that your teeth are aligned correctly.

Taking care of your oral health while wearing braces can be challenging but it is worth it in the end. Make sure to brush and floss your teeth twice a day, visit your orthodontist regularly, and take braces-friendly food for braces to be effective. With the right care, you’ll be enjoying braces-free teeth in no time!

Book a Consultation with the Best Orthodontist for Braces in West Windsor

West Windsor Orthodontics located at 295 Princeton Hightstown Rd. #5, West Windsor, NJ, is a trusted provider of dental braces in West Windsor. Dr. Jonathan Nicozisis has been in the specialty practice of orthodontics since 1997.  He received his specialty certificate in orthodontics and a master’s degree in oral biology from Temple University in Philadelphia.

Aside from metal, ceramic and lingual braces, West Windsor Orthodontics also offers Invisalign clear braces and LightForce braces. Invisalign is a braces-free alternative that utilizes a set of clear aligners to gradually move teeth into the desired position. LightForce braces are the latest braces technology and use a low-force technique to move teeth quickly and comfortably.

As a matter of fact, our office is a part of the Top 1% Diamon Plus Invisalign Providers, the top distinction of Invisalign orthodontists. Dr. Nicozisis is also a member of Invisalign National Speaker’s Bureau and Clinical Research Network where he helps conduct research and development of new technologies and improvements to the Invisalign technique.

If you want to receive high-quality and comfortable treatment with braces in West Windsor, book a consultation with the best braces provider in New Jersey at West Windsor Orthodontics. You can also contact us or visit our website for more information. We look forward to helping you achieve a beautiful, healthy smile!