What foods and drinks can damage dental braces?

One of the most important issues to consider during braces treatment is eating habits. Certain foods and beverages can damage braces, causing wires to break or brackets to become dislodged. This can lead to prolonged treatment time and additional costs.

Foods That Damage Braces

People using braces must especially stay away from hard, sticky, and excessively sugary foods. Such foods both damage the braces and make oral hygiene more difficult.

Hard Foods

The pressure created while biting into hard foods can cause brackets to break or wires to bend. Hard foods to avoid are as follows:

-Hard-shelled nuts such as hazelnuts, almonds, and walnuts

-Hard candies and rock candy

-Unpopped popcorn kernels

-Crusty breads

-Directly biting into foods like carrots and apples

Sticky Foods

Sticky foods can cling to the braces, making cleaning difficult and potentially causing the wires to dislodge. Sticky foods that can damage braces include:

-Caramel

-Chewing gum

-Turkish delight

-Soft candies like jelly beans

-Candies like nut brittle (croquant)

Highly Sugary Foods

Although sugary foods do not directly cause wire breakage, they increase the risk of tooth decay. Since braces can cause more bacteria to accumulate in the mouth, the consumption of sugary foods should be limited. Foods to stay away from include:

-Chocolate and candies

-Sweet pastries

-Sugary biscuits

-Syrupy desserts

Beverages That Damage Braces

Acidic Beverages

Acidic beverages can weaken tooth enamel and cause staining around the braces.

Beverages to avoid include:

-Carbonated drinks like cola

-Energy drinks

-Soda

Sugary Beverages

Beverages containing sugar accelerate the formation of bacteria in the mouth and can cause plaque buildup around the braces. Beverages to stay away from include:

-Ready-to-drink fruit juices

-Sugary coffee varieties

-Sugary tea

-Flavored drinks