In this blog, we’ll look at braces-friendly foods. While you wear braces, it can take some time to adjust. Mostly, this adjustment period is after you first start wearing braces. During this time, some foods are better avoided. However, these foods can generally be added back to your diet later. Then, there are other foods to avoid for the duration of treatment.
At first, it might seem difficult to avoid some of these foods, especially if they’re a favorite. However, most people adjust quickly, and before long, you won’t even think about it. Over time, you’ll develop new favorites and will immediately recognize which foods are out –at least until your new smile is revealed!
It’s all about keeping your treatment on track and making it comfortable. By avoiding these foods, you can ensure just that. Otherwise, you may experience a broken bracket or wire or problems with tooth decay. Therefore, sticking to the right foods will help you avoid costly and sometimes painful emergency visits.
Best of all, you can progress toward a perfect smile smoother and faster. Then, you can celebrate and indulge in those items you may or may not have missed.
Delicious, Soft Items for Well-Balanced Diet
First, we’ll look at the foods that you can enjoy while wearing braces. As for the sweeter, starchier foods, be sure to rinse, brush, and floss after eating them. However, after any meal, that’s recommended to avoid particles of food that can be trapped around brackets and wires.
Some delicious options to consider:
- Soups
- Seafood
- Soft fruit
- Pancakes
- Muffins
- Puddings
- Soft bread
- Soft cheese
- Cooked rice
- Milkshakes
- Cooked pasta
- Oats and grains
- Soft wraps and tortillas
- Cooked and soft veggies
- Soft desserts and cakes
As you can see, these foods are soft and easier to chew. Among the choices, you can have a well-balanced nutritious diet, which is always essential. Before long, you will automatically consider if the food is safe and know what to avoid.
As for the sweeter treats like soft cake and ice cream, we recommend limiting sweets in general to a few times a week. However, this is a good idea with or without braces.
See more about foods that are safe with braces here.
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Foods to Temporarily Pause
Right after you get your braces, your teeth and gums will be more sensitive than usual. During this time, some foods may be better avoided until you have some time to adjust. Then, you can start adding them back in if you like.
Foods to avoid as you adjust to braces:
- Spicy and citrus foods can worsen the sensitivity
- Bread and rolls that are touch to chew or have a thick crust
- Thicker cuts of meat that require more chewing
Another choice that may or may not be a temporary problem is ice cream. For many, ice cream can help with new braces as the cold lessens swelling. However, others will be very sensitive to cold food for a time.
Similarly, some food can stain braces. For example, coffee and tea can discolor clear brackets. So, be sure to rinse with water or mouthwash after consuming these beverages.
What to Avoid With Braces
Before you consider eating something, think, “Is this food going to stick to my braces or possibly cause damage?” Thus, it makes sense to avoid sticky, chewy, crunchy, and hard foods.
In some cases, you could cut the food into small pieces, as with apples or carrots. However, cooked carrots or apples are a safer option.
Foods That Could Be a Problem:
- Nuts
- Ice
- Chips
- Popcorn
- Hard tacos
- Chewing gum
- Hard crackers
- Corn on the cob
- Hard or sticky candy
- Apples, carrots, hard veggies
- Sugary drinks, sodas, excess sweets
- Tough bread like bagels, pretzels, or pizza crust
Also, some foods tend to stain, including beets, many berries, grapes, currants, and curry. So, these foods may be better off avoided while you wear braces.
Avoid Emergencies
Is one of these foods a favorite? If so, if might be a little hard to say goodbye for a while. However, it will be well worth it when the braces come off, and you have that perfect smile you always wanted!
By avoiding foods like these, you can ensure the day you finish treatment will come faster.
If you believe you may have an emergency, we’re here for you. Please see more about emergency appointments and tips for what to do here. If you think you may have a serious or life-threatening situation, call 911 right away.
We hope we’ve helped with this information about braces-friendly foods. Lasley Orthodontics is proud to provide the best orthodontic care in the Renton, WA area.
Schedule a free consultation today. Just click here to get started.
Or, call us at 425-496-7030.