For many people, taking care of their body can almost seem like a religion. Such a high level of commitment includes things like regularly exercising, avoiding unhealthy habits, and a healthy diet. Unfortunately, if you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment, you may find that it gets a bit more complicated to keep up a healthy diet. Not to worry though – your Seal Beach and Fountain Valley orthodontist, Dr. Harner is here to help! Here are some helpful tips to maintain a healthy diet and a healthy body if you’re wearing braces or if you’re undergoing treatment with Invisalign.
What to Avoid with Braces
Before we can discuss what to eat, it’s more pressing to consider what you can’t eat. When you’re wearing braces, you’ll have to avoid both sticky and hard foods because they can potentially damage your orthodontics. Sticky food can get stuck in your braces and loosen the brackets or wires while hard food can sometimes break the wires or brackets. Some examples of these types of food are unhealthy in general like chips, caramel, taffy and other candies, but some healthier foods that you’ll have to watch out for include:
- Nuts
- Protein Bars
- Granola (if too large)
- Fruit leather
- Popcorn
- Peanut Butter
- Trail Mix
- Other sticky nut butters
What to Eat with Braces
Having said all that, there are still plenty of healthy foods that you can eat while you’re wearing braces – you just have to avoid the kinds that are hard or sticky. Foods that are soft and easy to chew are always a good choice, and there’s no shortage of healthy foods that fall into that category. Here’s a handful of some excellent foods that are both healthy and braces-friendly:
- Chicken (cut into small pieces)
- Smoothies
- Eggs
- Cheese
- Yogurt
- Steamed Vegetables
- Bananas
- Melons
- Grapes
- Oranges
- Lunch Meat
- Mashed Potatoes
- Noodles
- Rice
- Soft Beans
What to Eat with Invisalign
One of the fantastic benefits of Invisalign is that the aligners are removable. Not having to wear Invisalign while you eat means that you can continue eating whichever foods you like without worrying about them harming your orthodontics. All of the braces-friendly, healthy foods that we mentioned are just as suitable when you’re undergoing treatment with Invisalign. Not to mention, you can continue eating healthier foods like nuts, peanut butter, and crackers, which aren’t okay for a person wearing braces. The primary concern that’s important to mention though is that you should take care to brush your teeth after each meal. If you put your aligners back in without brushing your teeth, food particles may get trapped up against your teeth. Unbrushed teeth can lead to dental problems such as tooth decay, as well as bad breath.
Contact Your Seal Beach and Fountain Valley Orthodontist Today!
If you have any questions about braces, Invisalign, or eating healthily during your treatment, please don’t hesitate to contact us and we’ll be glad to help. If you’d like to schedule an appointment with your orthodontist in Fountain Valley and Seal Beach, we encourage you to give us a call at (714) 842-9933. We can’t wait to hear from you!