What to Eat and What Not to Eat With Braces

There are several reasons why you will decide to get braces. It may be to straighten your teeth or to correct an overbite or underbite. Whatever the reason, braces do take some care to avoid any additional discomfort and keep them in good shape.

When you initially get braces, it is natural to feel some tenderness, and even some irritation as your mouth and gums adjust to the new apparatus in your mouth. However, this discomfort should only last a few days to a week. If it persists longer, you will want to talk to your dentist. You may want to eat foods that are easier to eat simply because it is too painful to eat anything firmer. Good food choices during these first few days could include soft foods for braces such as:

• Soup

• Eggs

• Mashed potatoes

• Soft fruits

• Cooked vegetables

• Pasta

 

You should avoid the following foods right after you have gotten your braces:

• Thick rolls or chewy bread

• Spicy foods

• Citrus foods

• Ice cream

• Steaks or other thick meats

After most of the sensitivity and inflammation has subsided, you can resume eating the foods mentioned above, but you want to wait until then to avoid any additional discomfort.

Getting and wearing braces is a big adjustment and can take time to get used to wearing them. There are also quite a few things that you need to do to keep them clean and avoid causing damage to your braces. By eating only “safe” foods, you will also avoid having to get your braces adjusted as often. That means fewer visits to your dentist.

A significant thing to consider is what to eat with braces daily. When you have braces, there are quite a few things that you can still eat, but there are also many things that you need to avoid eating. If you have braces, there are several things that you need to avoid eating.

What to Eat With Braces

Even though you may now have braces, you can still indulge in most of your favorite foods, such as soft cheeses, milkshakes, pudding, and ice cream. Most fruits, such as bananas, applesauce, and even canned fruit, are also OK to eat. You can also eat most bread such as pancakes, tortillas, and even muffins as long as they don’t have nuts in them. You can eat tuna, salmon, crab cakes, chicken, and spaghetti with meatballs as well.

Foods to eat with braces:

• Most dairy products

• Soup

• Eggs

• Grains

• Bread

• Vegetables

• Fruits

• Seafood

What Not to Eat With Braces

Just as there are many foods you can enjoy with your braces, there are also a few things to avoid as well. You want to avoid any hard foods such as hard candies, jerky, and nuts. You also need to avoid crunching on ice. Foods such as popcorn, carrots, potato chips, and corn on the cob should also be avoided. Steer clear of any chewy foods such as hard rolls, bagels, and licorice as well as any sticky foods such as gummy bears, licorice, or caramels.

Foods to avoid with braces:

• Chewy

• Hard

• Crunchy

• Sticky

If you take care of your braces, you will be able to keep them in good condition to do their job correctly. When your braces are damaged or not situated correctly in your mouth, they will not be able to straighten your teeth effectively. If you get foods trapped in them, it could also mean that you are also at a higher risk for gum disease and activities. You will also most likely feel additional discomfort.

Make a List and Refer to it Often

It can be a lot to remember everything you need to do to keep your braces in good shape when you initially get them. So, if you want to make sure that you never forget your list of things you can and cannot eat, you may find it handy to make a little list of do’s and don’ts to keep on your fridge. When you are away from home, you may want to bring it with you to refer to it when you eat out.

Additional Ways to Care for Your Braces

Be sure to brush your teeth after every meal or snack and even after consuming any beverages besides plain water. You should also floss between your teeth and braces once daily. If you play sports, be sure to wear a mouth guard to help protect your braces. There are mouth guards specifically crafted for use with braces, so be sure to look for one that suits your needs. Don’t forget to visit your dentist if you have any issues or discomfort with your braces in addition to your six-month cleanings.

Having braces may seem like a lot of work and maintenance but just remember why you got them in the first place; you want to have perfect, straight teeth so that you will be able to show off your beautiful smile. And once you have all the “rules” down, you will find that you don’t even think about your daily maintenance anymore, and before you know it, it will be time to get them taken off.

Orthodontic Arts, your number one Orthodontist in OKC. Our Certified Orthodontist provides the latest and greatest Orthodontic practices to our clients in the OKC and Midtown area. Orthodontic Arts is the best place for child and teen orthodontics as well as adult orthodontics. Be sure to ask about Invisalign and invisible braces! Contact us today at (405) 604-3745 or request an appointment.