One of the main services we provide is braces. At Melbourne Orthodontics, these devices are for children, teens, and adults. It’s never too late to want a more perfect smile at any age. One of those methods is through traditional braces, or Invisalign, which are considered invisible braces, since they don’t use brackets and wires to function. Either way, when you are in the process of considering braces, one of the things you may worry about is the types of foods you can and cannot eat. Let’s look at food limitations with braces that you may need to worry about. At Melbourne Orthodontics, we are a top-notch orthodontist in Melbourne FL, where we’re proud to provide “smiles braced for success” for all of our patients.

The Structure of Traditional Braces

Traditional braces are usually made of metal brackets, bands, and wires that connect them together. Although in general, they are very sturdy and strong, some foods can still loosen those rubber bands or bend the wires. In the worst-case scenario, you’ll eat something that knocks off a bracket. Plus, in general with traditional braces, it’s easier to get food particles and pieces lodged in some of the spaces between your braces and teeth. Don’t worry though, if you follow the advice on what not to eat, more than likely, you won’t have any trouble at all keeping your traditional braces in good working order.

One other type of braces to think about is clear ceramic braces. They still have all of the same food limitations as traditional braces, even though the materials for the brackets are made of ceramic. They are still part of the family of fixed appliances, like regular braces. Clear braces just look a little less obvious in the mouth, but they tend to be at a higher price point than a metal pair of braces.

Traditional Braces Have Food Limitations

Unfortunately, with regular braces, you’ll have to watch what you eat just a little bit. That includes foods that are super crunchy, hard or sticky candy, and even some foods that require a lot of chewing. Here are some of the foods to avoid in each category, so that you don’t damage your braces.

Crunchy Foods

• Popcorn
• Pretzels
• Celery
• Hard nuts
• Thick chips

Hard Food or Sticky Candy

• Hard candies like lollipops or jawbreakers
• Taffy
• Gummy candies
• Caramels
• Peanut brittle
• Ice

Chewy Foods

• Pizza crust
• Corn on the cob
• Bagels
• Beef jerky
• Steak

You may feel overwhelmed looking at this list, but a lot of foods you can make adjustments to by cutting them into smaller pieces, or just find suitable replacements for the foods you love. That includes meat without bones, softer vegetables, most fruits, and certain types of candy. And look on the bright side, eating ice cream or cake is easy with braces! Just watch out for all that sugar. The last thing you want is a mouthful of cavities on your newly straightened teeth.

No Food Limitations With Invisalign

The good news is that with Invisalign, you don’t have to worry about any food limitations. These invisible braces have a slightly plastic texture that looks like a clear retainer on your teeth. It’s a more modern approach to getting a patient’s teeth straight or making sure their jaw is aligned correctly. Adults especially appreciate the option of getting invisible braces because no one will know you are wearing them.

Talk to Us at Melbourne Orthodontics With Concerns About Your New Braces

If you have any questions about how your new braces will operate while eating any type of food, give us a call or send us a message today. We’re more than happy at Melbourne Orthodontics to go over any restrictions about food and your braces, so you feel confident about what you are eating. It is an adjustment having to navigate meals with a mouthful of teeth straightening traditional braces, but with practice and time, you won’t even think about it anymore.