Can You Chew Gum With Braces?
When you get braces, there are some foods that are should be avoided. Generally, anything that is overly crunchy or chewy should be avoided. Although, some foods (like raw carrots and apples) can still be eaten if they are modified into thin, bite sized pieces. Let’s talk about why this is important, when there can be exceptions, and some examples of foods that should be avoided.
Why Do Crunchy and Chewy Foods Need to be Avoided?
Braces are composed of small metal brackets and thin wires that are fixed to your teeth. Although the adhesive and brackets are strong, there is still need for caution with excessive chewing forces during treatment. Not only do we want to protect your braces from damage (broken brackets or bent wires), we also want to give your jaw a break from excessive force while it is undergoing changes. Chewing on crunchy foods can cause stress to your jaw, and can cause brackets and wires to break or bend.
Extended Treatment Time Due to Broken Brackets
You might be thinking, “can’t you just put the broken bracket back on?” The answer is yes. However, this would cause a delay in treatment because the bracket that is broken is no longer actively moving your teeth, and you need a longer emergency appointment to replace it. Also, after multiple broken bracket repairs you may be required to pay additional fees.
Crunchy and Sticky Foods to Avoid
Common foods that we suggest avoiding with braces are nuts, marshmallows, gum, toffee or caramels, dried fruit, Tootsie Rolls, and Jolly Ranchers. We also recommend avoiding hard crusty breads such a pizza crust. These foods are all very likely to cause damage to your braces and could also cause jaw discomfort or pain during treatment.
How to Modify Foods to Eat With Braces
There are many foods you can eat, if they are modified. Things like apples and carrots and other hard fruits and vegetables can be cut into thin slices and chewed with your back teeth. Corn on the cob can be eaten if it is cut off the cob first. With popcorn we recommend avoiding the kernels, and all meat should be cut off the bone before eating.
Beverages to Avoid With Braces
When braces are fixed to your teeth, there is a greater chance of food, plaque, and sugar sticking to your teeth around the edges of where the brackets meet your tooth. For this reason, we recommend avoiding sugary beverages during braces treatment as the sugar can easily adhere when washed over your teeth. It is recommended to brush your teeth after consuming sugary beverages, and if that is not possible, a thorough rinse with water will do until you can brush.
Exceptions to Avoiding Crunchy and Sticky Foods
There is only one time there could be an exception with eating crunchy, chewy foods during braces. This is if you are a candidate for clear aligners / Invisalign. With aligners, there are no brackets or wires fixed to your teeth to be bent or broken. Rather, there are small tooth coloured attachments fixed to the teeth to which a removable tray snaps onto. The trays are removed for eating and generally, most foods (even crunchy and chewy, like gum) can be eaten while the attachments are fixed to the teeth. You still need to be cautious with chewing crunchy and chewy foods with aligners as your jaw will be undergoing changes and excessive chewing force could cause pain.
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