Braces Survival Kit

You could easily regret your braces decision because it's not exactly the most pleasant and unnoticeable experience ever. 

You'll forget they're there most of the time, until someone offers you nuts, gum, popcorn, you grab an apple from the fruit bowl or about to bite into that delicious burger you've been craving all day.

In the beginning I was sure I was going to lose all my baby weight and then another extra 10 kilograms because there was nothing I could eat.

As time passed I grew accustomed to my new way of eating and it certainly did not cause any weight-loss whatsoever or frustration that I could no longer enjoy a lot of my favorite foods. 

To survive the braces-wearing journey, here's a look at my survival kit.

Inter-dental brushes: These tiny little brushes are the best thing ever for quickly cleaning  between braces and so handy to carry around in your handbag as well. It's great for maneuvering around the braces and tight spaces, does the cleaning your normal toothbrush cannot do. The brushes comes with a cap as well so you can carry it with you and close it after use.

Wax: Place a small amount of wax over any part of your braces that is poking, rubbing or irritating your cheeks or lips. I've never used the wax though, but I have it nearby just in case.

Floss: Yes it is possible to floss. It's a mission to do but it's do-able. It's kind like threading a sewing needle as you  have to carefully insert the floss underneath the brace wire and then floss between the teeth. It takes much longer than flossing without the braces but it's important to do. 

Mouth wash/rinse: Swish the solution around in your mouth for extra cleaning and an overall clean and fresh smelling mouth. I purchase a large bottle for use at home and travel size bottles for carrying around with me or for keeping at the office for after lunch meal because naturally with braces food tends to get stuck more.

Small mirror: I'm not going to lie, you HAVE TO check your teeth often, especially after eating a big meal. As said above, you are more prone to pieces of food getting stuck between your braces. I find this most when eating spinach or melted cheese so keep your mirror nearby just for checking your smile now and then. It’s important to regularly check your braces for bent or loose wires and brackets. 


When I left the orthodontists rooms, on my passenger seat was the invoice, the tiny container of dental wax and an A4 sheet, printed both sides listing the foods I should avoid or eat with caution. My initial thought was OH MY GOD, what do I have left to eat! The fact is though, many foods can harm your braces and if you're prepared to invest that much money and time into this, surely you can skip a few food items for the next year or so.

It's actually quite simple, avoid hard, sticky and sugary foods to keep your braces safe! 

Here’s a list of foods to avoid.

Sticky Foods

• Gum
• Toffee
• Caramels
• Gummy Bears
• Snickers

Hard Foods

• Ice
• Nuts
• Hard taco shells
• French bread crust/rolls (tear into small pieces)
• Corn on the cob (cut off the cob)
• Apples and carrots (unless cut into small pieces and cooked)
• Bagels
• Chips (eat them carefully and one at a time)
• Popcorn
• Hard candy
• Pizza crust
• Ribs

Sugary Foods

Foods high in sugar content should be limited. The rare occasions that they are consumed should be at times when you are able to brush immediately afterward. Avoid gum and soda containing sugar. These foods have the potential to cause heavy plaque build-up and it's already hard to clean properly wearing braces so rather think twice about eating sugary treats

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