With over four million people wearing braces in the United States, braces are far from an uncommon sight. While many adults need braces just like a lot of teenagers do, some people in both age groups may dread the thought of getting braces no matter how great the results they have the potential to produce might be.
Foods to Avoid with Traditional Braces
If your dentist advises you to see an orthodontist because you need braces, many thoughts may run through your head. If you’ve heard people talk about not being able to eat certain things while they wear braces, the way braces will impact your diet is probably one of the first things that will cross your mind.
Even though braces are stronger than they used to be thanks to technology, patients are still advised to avoid eating various foods that might cause damage. In general, individuals who wear braces are often told to avoid sticky, hard and chewy foods.
More specifically, people who wear braces are usually told to avoid eating the following foods in particular:
- Popcorn
- Nuts
- Candy that’s hard or sticky
- Chewing gum
- Ice
- Corn chips
- Hard pretzels
- Hard cookies and crackers
- Hard taco shells
- Pizza that has anything other than a thin crust
- Hard rolls or breads
- Corn on the cob
Even for the most diligent patient, that’s a long list of foods to avoid. Luckily, there’s an alternative to wearing braces that’s not nearly as diet- or life-altering.
Foods to Avoid with Invisalign Clear Aligners
If you’ve been told you need braces, but you simply have no interest in making the dietary changes that getting braces usually entails, you should look into getting Invisalign aligners instead. Invisalign aligners are like invisible braces that shift teeth into proper position over time like braces do.
While traditional braces and Invisalign aligners have the same end goal, they don’t have the same restrictions as they relate to your diet. In fact, the list of foods you should avoid with aligners includes zero foods.
That’s right! You can eat everything and anything you want during your Invisalign treatment because your aligners are removable.
Avoid Having to Change Your Diet With Invisalign Treatment
At Clearsmile Orthodontics, we straighten teeth with Invisalign treatment that doesn’t require you to change your diet in any way. We offer promotions on our website that can make teen Invisalign and Invisalign for adults even more affordable.
If you want an improved smile and increased confidence at an affordable price without having to change your eating habits, schedule a free consultation with Clearsmile Orthodontics today. Get the smile you want without giving up the foods you love! We have years of experience working with both teens and adults in the Charlotte, NC area, and look forward to helping you get the straight teeth you want.