Braces can significantly improve your smile, but adjusting to them can sometimes be challenging, especially when it comes to choosing what foods to eat. A common question for those with braces is, can you eat pizza with braces? This is a valid concern because certain foods can damage braces or cause discomfort.
In this article, we’ll explore whether you can safely enjoy pizza while wearing braces, and provide some practical tips on how to do so without compromising your orthodontic treatment.
What Does Braces Mean?
Braces, also known as orthodontic braces, are devices used in dentistry to straighten and align teeth and help position them concerning a person’s bite while aiming to improve dental health.
Braces are often used to correct underbites, overbites, crossbites, open bites, deep bites, crooked teeth, and various other flaws of the teeth and jaw.
They can be cosmetic or structural and are used to shape the teeth and jaw, creating a more pleasing appearance and a healthier mouth.
Dental braces are often used in conjunction with other orthodontic appliances to help widen the palate or jaws and to otherwise assist in shaping the teeth and jaws.
Can You Eat Pizza With Braces?
Are you wondering if you can still enjoy one of your favorite foods – like pizza while adjusting to braces? The answer is yes, but there are a few considerations to keep in mind.
Opt for thin-crust pizza over thick-crust, as it is easier to chew. The toppings should be soft and not overly crunchy to avoid damaging the braces.
Consider cutting the pizza into small bite-sized pieces instead of biting into a large slice. This way, you minimize the risk of dislodging brackets or bending the wires of your braces.
Always remember to thoroughly clean your teeth and braces after meals to remove any food particles that may have gotten lodged.
Pizza Eaters With Braces: Potential Risks
Well, we’ve known if can you eat pizza with braces, right? To eat pizza with braces, we also need to remember several certain considerations. So what are some risks associated with eating this kind of food? Let’s see now.
1. Hurt Your Braces
Eating pizza with braces can potentially damage your orthodontic equipment if not done cautiously. The crust of the pizza, especially if it is hard or overly crunchy, can put undue pressure on the braces, leading to dislodged brackets or bent wires.
These damages might result in discomfort, prolong the treatment duration, and incur additional costs for repairs or replacements.
Toppings like hard vegetables or tough meats can also pose a risk. They require considerable chewing force that may strain or break the braces.
Furthermore, sticky cheese can adhere to the braces and be challenging to clean off, potentially leading to plaque build-up, tooth decay, or gum disease if not properly addressed.
Lastly, pizza’s acidic tomato sauce could contribute to enamel erosion, especially if left on the teeth for extended periods.
This is more concerning when wearing braces, as cleaning all the nooks and corners of the teeth becomes more difficult, leaving some areas more prone to acid attacks.
2. Leads To Tooth Decay/Cavities
The risk of tooth decay or cavities increases while wearing braces, particularly when consuming foods like pizza. The food particles from the pizza can get lodged in and around the braces, proving to be a breeding ground for bacteria.
This bacterial action on food particles produces acids that attack the tooth enamel, eventually leading to cavities. The situation is exacerbated if the trapped food particles are not timely and effectively removed through proper oral hygiene practices.
Moreover, the sticky cheese and starchy crust from the pizza can adhere to the teeth’s surfaces for long durations, creating a favorable environment for plaque formation. Over time, this plaque hardens into tartar, leading to gum disease and tooth decay.
Soft drinks or sugary beverages often consumed with pizza further intensify this problem. They coat the teeth and braces with sugar, providing more food for bacteria and increasing the risk of cavities.
3. Result In Bad Breath
Bad breath, or halitosis, is another potential issue faced by pizza eaters with braces. Food particles, such as those from pizza, can get trapped in the brackets and wires of the braces, leading to the growth of bacteria, which produces foul-smelling gases.
The rich cheeses and aromatic toppings of pizza can also contribute to bad breath. This is exacerbated if oral hygiene practices are not diligently followed, allowing these food particles and bacteria to accumulate.
In the case of braces wearers, bad breath can be persistent and may require extra diligence to manage. Regular brushing and flossing, using fluoride toothpaste, can remove food particles and bacteria.
Special orthodontic brushes or floss can be used to clean hard-to-reach areas around the braces. An antibacterial mouthwash can also help in killing bacteria and freshening the breath.
Moreover, drinking plenty of water aids in maintaining a moist oral environment that’s less conducive to bacterial growth.
Eating crunchy fruits and vegetables that naturally clean the teeth and stimulate saliva production can also help manage bad breath.
4. Impact How Your Jaw Grows Together
Orthodontic braces can impact the way your jaw grows and develops, particularly in children and teenagers whose jaws are still growing.
This is because braces apply constant pressure on the teeth, which gradually moves them into the desired position. This pressure not only affects the alignment of the teeth but also influences the shape and position of the jaw.
Improper or excessive pressure can potentially lead to issues such as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), changes in facial structure, or difficulties in speaking and chewing.
Furthermore, certain types of braces may encourage the jaw to grow in a particular direction, which can be beneficial in correcting specific jaw-related issues but may also lead to unwanted changes if not properly monitored.
5. Irritate Your Gums
Orthodontic braces, while useful for aligning and straightening teeth, can cause gum irritation. This is because the brackets and wires of the braces may rub against the gums, leading to discomfort and irritation.
Over time, this constant rubbing can cause the gums to become inflamed and sensitive. In addition, food particles from meals like pizza can get trapped in the braces and near the gum line.
If these particles are not properly cleaned, they could lead to bacterial growth and plaque formation, further aggravating gum irritation.
Lastly, the acidic tomato sauce in pizza may also irritate sensitive gums, especially if oral hygiene is not diligently maintained.
Effective Ways To Eat Pizza With Braces
We all understand that eating anything can be difficult with braces, and finding out if can you eat pizza with braces is a big question for many.
However, there are still great ways for pizza lovers to satisfy their cravings while wearing braces.
1. Cut Your Pizza Into Bite-Sized Pieces
Cutting your pizza into smaller, bite-sized pieces can make it easier to eat and reduce the risk of damaging your braces. This way, you can avoid putting too much pressure on any one area of your mouth while chewing.
2. Select Soft Or Gentle Toppings
While pizza toppings like crunchy vegetables or tough meats could pose a challenge, opting for softer toppings can make a significant difference.
Consider toppings like mushrooms, olives, or cooked spinach, which require less chewing force. Similarly, softer meats like cooked ham or ground beef could be a safer choice.
Also, it’s a good idea to avoid toppings that are sticky or hard, such as caramelized onions or crisp bacon, to prevent potential damage to your braces.
3. Choose a Thin Crust
The type of crust you choose can make a significant difference to your pizza-eating experience with braces.
A thin or flexible crust is usually a safer choice as it requires less biting force and is less likely to damage your braces. Furthermore, a well-cooked thin crust is less likely to leave food particles trapped in your braces than a thicker, chewier crust.
Remember, the softer and easier to chew the pizza is, the less strain it puts on your braces, thereby reducing potential risks.
4. Pay Attention To The Heat Level
Eating piping hot pizza can not only potentially burn your mouth, but also potentially soften and warp the plastic components of your braces. It’s advisable to let your pizza cool down a bit before eating. This not only protects your braces but also allows you to enjoy the flavors better.
Always remember the key to enjoying your favorite meals while wearing braces is to eat carefully and maintain excellent oral hygiene.
5. Think About Using Wax To Protect Braces
Orthodontic wax plays a crucial role in preventing and relieving irritation caused by braces. This soft, pliable material is applied on the brackets and wires that are causing discomfort, providing a smooth surface that reduces friction against your gums.
Additionally, wax can act as a barrier, protecting your braces when eating challenging foods like pizza. It’s easily malleable, non-toxic, and safe to use. It’s handy to carry around, so you can apply it whenever you feel discomfort.
However, remember to remove and reapply it when brushing your teeth to maintain oral hygiene.
What Pizza Toppers Are Safe And Unsafe To Eat While Wearing Braces?
When you have braces, choosing the right pizza toppings can make a big difference in comfort and dental health. Some toppings are softer and safer for your braces, while others can be tough and potentially damaging.
Let’s discover them in the section below.
Safe Pizza Toppers For Braces
1. Soft vegetables: Options like bell peppers, cooked onions, olives, and spinach are typically safe as they require less chewing force.
2. Soft, shredded meats: Cooked ham, ground beef, and shredded chicken all tend to be safe options as they are easy to chew and don’t pose a risk of damaging your braces.
3. Cheeses: Soft cheeses like mozzarella or provolone are safe and typically come standard with most pizzas.
Unsafe Pizza Toppers For Braces
1. Hard vegetables: Toppings like raw carrots, celery, or crisp lettuce might cause damage to your braces due to their hard and crunchy nature.
2. Tough meats: Meats like sausage or steak can be difficult to chew, posing a risk to your braces.
3. Sticky or hard ingredients: Toppings like caramelized onions, hard cheeses, or dried fruits could potentially stick to and damage your braces.
Conclusion
To conclude, now you have the answer to the question of whether can you eat pizza with braces. The answer is certainly yes. However, the key to enjoying pizza while wearing braces lies in the careful selection of toppings, crust, and how you eat it.
It’s perfectly possible to enjoy your favorite pizza without damaging your braces or compromising your oral health. Always remember to follow the recommended guidelines for eating pizza with braces.
With these measures in mind, there’s no reason why you can’t fully enjoy your pizza while ensuring the safety and effectiveness of your braces.