What Can You Eat When You Have Braces?
Planning meals and picking out snacks is a big part of our day. But when you’re wearing braces, one of the biggest changes is what you eat, and sometimes our favorite foods go out the window during orthodontic treatment.
While your orthodontist should go over items to avoid eating while wearing braces, it’s always good to have a guide. Today, we’re going to go over certain foods that you can (and cannot) eat with braces.
Starting Your Braces Treatment
When you first have your braces put on, you’ll be dealing with sore teeth and gums as well as tooth sensitivity. For the first few days, you’ll want to stick to eating soft foods that are braces-friendly. Some great options after getting braces are:
- Soups
- Soft, cooked vegetables
- Oatmeal
- Scrambled eggs
- Mashed potatoes
- Yogurt
- Soft cheese
You’ll want to avoid anything cold foods, spicy foods, and citrus. While ice cream and smoothies are soft, they can also hurt while your front teeth and back teeth adjust to your new braces.
What to Avoid with Braces
During your treatment time, you have to pay attention to what you’re snacking on. There are many snacks that can damage or break braces, meaning that they’ll be totally off-limits. While you don’t have to only eat softer foods with braces, you should completely avoid eating foods that can loosen wires, break brackets, and delay your progress.
The following foods are ones you should avoid:
- Hard foods
- Sticky foods (like gummy bears)
- Crunchy fruits
- Hard candy
- Crunchy vegetables
- Popcorn kernels
- Hard rolls
- Pretzels and chips
- Nuts
- Sugary drinks
While this list contains plenty of sugary foods, there are also healthy options (like raw vegetables and harder fruits) that are some of the worst foods for your braces.
However, some things are fine if you cut them into bite-sized pieces. For instance, you can eat corn, just not on the cob, and you can cut up pizza crusts. Your list of foods to avoid might seem long, but don’t worry. There are plenty of things to enjoy!
What You Can Eat with Braces
Deciding what to eat with braces isn’t all bad. There are plenty of things that you can enjoy without putting your wires and brackets in danger. If you’re looking for a salty snack or sweet treats, here are some things to add to your normal diet:
- Soft tacos
- Pudding
- Pancakes and waffles
- Macaroni & pastas
- Casseroles
- Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
- Grilled cheese
- Applesauce
- Ice cream
Just be careful – too much sugar can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Take care of your oral health by brushing and flossing whenever you eat, and visit the dentist for dental cleanings!
Braces, Foods, and More at Pura Vida
Learning what you can and can’t eat is a big part of straightening teeth and brightening your smile with braces. If you have questions on what to avoid biting into during treatment (or need help with a broken wire), contact Pura Vida Orthodontics for help achieving your perfect smile!
