Can You Eat Bread With Braces? (Avoid Toasted)
Do you have braces? If yes, you may have wondered if you can still eat bread and other glutinous foods. The good news is that you can still enjoy bread while living with braces! With a few modifications, you can make sure you are keeping your teeth and braces in top condition while still indulging in some delicious carbs. In this post, we will discuss how to eat bread safely with braces. If you have any difficulty chewing the bread, or if it gets stuck in your braces, be sure to remove it carefully to avoid damaging your braces.When wearing clear braces, avoid highly colored fillings like beetroot and coronation chicken, as they could stain your braces. Ideally, you should use nice, soft bread with ham and cheese or egg mayonnaise filling. On a final note avoid toasted, or pizza crust type breads also
We searched the web for more information on forums about eating bread with braces.
Tips on How to Eat Bread
First, avoid eating crunchy bread like baguettes – they can be hard to chew with brackets and wires. Instead, opt for softer rolls and toast, since their texture won’t pull at the wires. If you are craving a crispy crust, use a toaster oven to crisp it up.
Second, tear off smaller pieces of bread instead of trying to bite into the entire slice. Cutting bread with a knife and fork is another option, but it can be tricky as it can pull on the wires.
Third, if you’re eating something crunchy like cereal, break it into small pieces and chew slowly. If you’re eating something like a pretzel, you may want to avoid biting into it, as the salt could corrode the wires. Instead, soak it in milk or water so it softens, and then bite off the pieces. Fourth, they may take some getting used to, but you can also try sticking wax onto the wires, so your lips don’t get caught.
Finally, take your time while you’re eating and chew carefully. Don’t rush through your meals – it could cause damage to both your teeth and your braces.
Eating Bread with Braces FAQ’s
1. Can I eat bread with braces? Yes, but it is best to avoid crusty bread, as it can be hard to chew and may damage your braces.
2. What types of bread are best to eat with braces? Soft bread, such as French bread, Italian bread and rye bread, are some of the best breads to eat with braces. Make sure to cut the bread into small pieces and chew slowly.
3. Can I eat sandwiches with braces? Yes, sandwiches made with soft bread are the ideal way to enjoy your favorite sandwich while wearing braces.
4. Is it OK to eat crusty bread with braces? It is not recommended to eat crusty bread with braces, as it can be difficult to chew and may damage the brackets or wires on your braces.
5. Are bagels good to eat with braces? Bagels can be eaten with braces, but they should be cut into small pieces before eating. Avoid biting into the bagel, as this could break or damage the braces.
Food “hardness” and food “stickiness” should be considered when determining what is okay to eat while wearing braces.
To prevent bending or breaking the wires in your mouth, avoid chewing anything that has hard chunks. Damage can be caused to wires by popcorn kernels, nuts, seeds, hard candy, apples, crunchy vegetables etc.
Getting stuck between the wires and brackets of your teeth can be a problem with sticky items that do not “clear” the mouth quickly. The likes of gum, caramel, taffy. Avoid eating foods that stick between your teeth, even if you don’t have braces.
After eating, excellent oral hygiene is essential with braces. After eating, swish vigorously with lots of clean water if you’re at school/work during the day
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to brush your teeth thoroughly, but gently. Use a water pick to reach those hard-to-reach places, and use interdental brushes/picks to get between your teeth.
You should consult with your dentist first to find out what kind of guide to follow based on your treatment condition before consuming your favorite foods.
Foods you can eat with braces
Here is a more extensive extended table of foods that you can eat with braces, including examples of each type of food and a description of how to prepare them:
| SOFT FOODS | EXAMPLES | HOW TO PREPARE |
|---|---|---|
| Pudding | Chocolate pudding, tapioca pudding | Mix pudding mix with milk according to package instructions and refrigerate until set. |
| Jell-O | Any flavor of Jell-O | Mix Jell-O powder with boiling water and refrigerate until set. |
| Yogurt | Plain yogurt, fruit-flavored yogurt | Open container and spoon out desired amount. |
| Smoothies | Banana smoothie, berry smoothie | Blend together desired fruits, milk or yogurt, and ice until smooth. |
| Soft cooked meat | Chicken breast, fish fillets | Cook meat in a skillet over medium heat until fully cooked and tender. |
| Tofu | Silken tofu, firm tofu | Cut tofu into small cubes and cook in a skillet over medium heat until heated through. |
| Mashed potatoes | Plain mashed potatoes, garlic mashed potatoes | Peel and chop potatoes, boil in salted water until tender, then mash with butter and milk. |
| MODERATE FOODS | EXAMPLES | HOW TO PREPARE |
|---|---|---|
| Cooked vegetables | Cooked carrots, cooked green beans | Peel and chop vegetables, steam or boil until tender. |
| Soft fruits | Ripe bananas, ripe peaches | Peel and slice fruits, or blend into a smoothie. |
| Soft cheeses | Cream cheese, feta cheese | Slice or spread cheese on crackers or bread. |
| Soft cooked grains | Cooked rice, cooked quinoa | Cook grains according to package instructions, or use leftover cooked grains from a previous meal. |
| Flaked fish | Salmon, tilapia | Cook fish in a skillet over medium heat until flaky and fully cooked. |
| Pasta | Cooked spaghetti, cooked macaroni | Cook pasta according to package instructions, then toss with sauce or butter. |
| FOODS TO AVOID | EXAMPLES |
|---|---|
| Hard foods | Nuts, hard candies, ice, raw carrots, corn on the cob |
| Sticky foods | Gum, caramels, gummies, taffy, toffee |
| Crunchy foods | Popcorn, chips, pretzels, crackers, raw apples and pears |
| Chewy foods | Bagels, crusty bread, pizza crust, beef jerky |
| Sugary foods and drinks | Soda, candy, cake, cookies, fruit juice, sports drinks |
Conclusion
So, can you eat bread with braces? It is generally safe to eat bread while wearing braces, but it is important to avoid certain types of bread, such as crusty or hard bread, as they can damage the braces or cause discomfort. Soft bread, such as white bread or sandwich bread, is a better option. It is also important to carefully chew the bread to avoid damaging the braces or causing irritation to the teeth and gums. Overall, it is important to follow the instructions provided by your orthodontist and to avoid any foods that may cause damage to your braces
If you are wearing metal braces, we recommend cleaning your braces within the next 60 minutes after eating and foods. Follow these simple tips to ensure good oral hygiene.
You should consult with your dentist first to find out what kind of guide to follow based on your treatment condition before consuming your favorite foods.
For more foods, read our comprehensive post of what you can eat with braces.
Can You Eat Bread With Braces?
Perry heads up a dynamic marketing team that has help the leading orthodontic practices in the USA 10X their business for over a decade. He’s a tea connoisseur, avid reader, traveling and grower of exotic fruits in his permaculture food forest.
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