What Can I Eat with Braces? A Comprehensive Guide

When you think of having braces for teeth, it’s generally to straighten them, close gaps, or correct bite. Braces can effectively fix these issues and can significantly improve your smile! However, it may take a few days or even weeks to adjust to the increased pressure on your teeth. During this period, you may feel some discomfort or irritation in your mouth.

Now, here’s the actual deal: if you talk to anyone who has had braces, they’ll undoubtedly tell you that one of the most challenging things is having to give up some of your favorite meals. Yes, there is quite a long list of what you cannot eat with braces since some foods might become lodged in the braces and cause harm.

Do you want to know what foods to eat with braces? This post has got you covered, so stick around!

How Do Braces Influence Eating?

You may experience discomfort initially as your teeth and gums adjust to the braces. That soreness subsides with time. However, eating the incorrect foods or failing to clean your teeth properly can lead to a variety of issues. For instance, food may get caught in the braces or break the rubber bands and wires.

Stains on teeth and plaque accumulation can also become a cause of concern if you do not exercise caution when eating and cleaning your mouth. You do not want broken braces because it means a trip back to the orthodontist for repairs, which is not enjoyable at all!

Why You Should Avoid Certain Foods During Braces Treatment?

Your braces contain fragile brackets, bands, and wires that are readily damaged by hard or sticky foods. Say nuts, popcorn, and chewy candy – you get the picture. Food particles that become stuck around your braces and teeth and are not adequately cleaned can cause cavities to grow around the braces.

Nobody wants that! It’s all about maintaining your beautiful whites healthy and clear of any unsightly blemishes produced by tartar or plaque accumulation. It may sound tough to avoid some of your favourite snacks for a while! But taking care of your teeth during this time keeps them shining bright in the long run!

What Foods You Can Eat With Braces?

So, what is on the menu when you first get braces? Getting braces does not hurt, although your mouth may feel sensitive afterwards. This implies that chewing on tougher-textured foods may be unpleasant. Your orthodontist most likely advises you to stick to soft meals for the first few days. Some of those foods include the following:-

1. Soft Cheeses
2. Scrambled Eggs
3. Pasta
4. Cooked Or Soft Vegetables
5. Mashed Potatoes
6. Soft Fruits
7. Seafood
8. Moist Desserts
9. Soups
10. Yogurt
11. Oatmeal

Don’t panic; after a few days or maybe a week of sensitivity after getting braces fitted, things should start to improve. After this period, you may continue to make changes to your eating habits.

What Foods May You Resume Eating After the 1st Week of Braces Treatment?

So, after getting through the first week with braces orthodontic treatment, you may be wondering what foods you can finally eat. So, here’s the lowdown: Think delicately and carefully with those newly corrected teeth.

1. Boiled Or Steamed Vegetables
2. Muesli
3. Rice
4. Cereal, Cream-of-Wheat, Grits, Etc.
5. Custard
6. Soft Bread and Baked Goods
7. Hamburgers and Hot Dogs
8. Cool Treats Like Ice Cream and Popsicles
9. Pancakes & Waffles
10. Peanut Butter
11. Jell-O and Puddings
12. Meat Cut Off the Bone
13. Corn Off the Cob
14. Soft Crust Pizza

Schedule Your Consultation Online

What Foods You Can’t Eat With Braces?

While braces work their magic to straighten your teeth, it’s crucial to watch what you eat to avoid any mishaps. So, what what you can’t eat with braces? Let’s dive into it!

1. Chewing Gum: It’s a definite no-go with braces, as it can get stuck in the wires and brackets, causing a sticky situation that’s best avoided.
2. Pretzels & Chips: These sneaky snacks can be troublemakers when it comes to getting stuck in your braces, which can lead to some serious discomfort.
3. Bagels and Other Hard Rolls: along with crunchy vegetables and fruits (like apples and carrots) and hard crackers, fall into the category of hard and crunchy foods that should be avoided.
4. Popcorn: The husks and unpopped kernels are notorious for getting stuck, posing a serious threat to your orthodontic hardware.
5. Hard or Chewy Candy: These are also off-limits. These sweet treats can be a prime culprit for causing damage to your braces, not to mention the potential for cavities.
6. Crunchy Vegetables: Stay away from crunchy carrots, apples, and celery to avoid damaging your braces.
7. Hard Crackers: Crackers like Melba toasts or whole-grain crisp breads should also be avoided.
8. Nuts: As delicious and nutritious as they are, nuts can be pretty unfriendly to braces. The hardness and small, jagged edges can easily damage the wires and brackets.
9. Ice: While chomping down on ice cubes might seem refreshing, it’s an absolute no-no with braces. The extreme hardness can put excessive pressure on the braces and lead to breakage or misalignment.

What are the Critical Guidelines for Eating With Braces?

Choosing the correct foods to eat with braces is crucial. But there are other precautions as well. They are as follows:-

• Brushing After Meals: Brushing after meals prevents food from remaining in your teeth for a longer time, resulting in plaque accumulation. Brush your child’s teeth at least three times a day (morning, lunchtime, and before bed), ideally after each meal.
• Get Frequent Dental Checks: frequent checkups with your family dentist allow them to properly clean your child’s teeth and identify any possible problems that require care. Your dental exams should also include regular visits to the orthodontist to evaluate, tighten, and adjust braces as needed.
• Find Replacements for Favorite Foods: Having braces can be a difficult adjustment for some children. If your children have braces, explain to them that braces don’t last forever and are essential for a pleasant, healthy smile.
• Floss Daily: Flossing allows you to reach spots your toothbrush may have missed and makes it simpler to eliminate food lodged between the brackets. Teach your kids also how to floss correctly and carefully to prevent dislodging brackets or damaging their gums.
• Keep Nutrition in Mind: When creating braces-friendly food, remember to prioritize nutrition. Many foods, including tough meats and raw vegetables, have been off-limits for a while. Find healthy and nutritional substitutes to gain the energy to get through the day.
• Choose the Appropriate Toothbrush: Using a smaller, gentler toothbrush reduces discomfort and makes it easier to reach the gaps between the braces. Ask your dentist for an appropriate brush recommendation. Look for added features that make brushing simpler, such as a gripped handle or tongue cleaner.

Schedule Your Consultation Online

FAQs

How long after getting braces can you eat normal foods?

It usually takes a few days to a week to become used to wearing braces. Once you are comfortable with them, you may gradually resume eating regular meals. Just avoid anything hard or sticky that might damage your braces.

Can I eat pizza with braces?

Absolutely! You can eat pizza while undergoing braces orthodontic treatment. Simply chop it into tiny, manageable pieces and eat carefully to avoid causing harm to your braces.

Can I eat french fries with braces?

Sure thing! You can eat french fries while wearing braces. Just remember to use softer cuts and smaller pieces to avoid harm or having them trapped in your braces.

Can I eat a burger with braces?

Once your mouth is acclimated to the braces, you may eat as many burgers as you like. Just remember to chop them into little, bite-sized pieces and keep the meat and bread moist. It is crucial to remember that consuming hard foods may cause your brackets to loosen or bend.

Does this all sound too much? Don’t worry! You may make things easy by discovering great replacements for your favorite dishes. Consider fruity ice cream instead of gummy candies, soft chicken nuggets instead of crispy chicken strips, and natural fruit juice instead of fizzy beverages!

Moreover, as you get used to your braces, you can gradually enjoy a wider variety of foods, including some of your favorites like pizza and burgers. But always remember to chew carefully. And if you ever have any questions or concerns about foods to eat with braces, don’t hesitate to ask your orthodontist or dentist for guidance.

Keep up the good oral hygiene habits, and before you know it, you’ll be flashing that beautiful, straight smile!