This time, we’re looking at foods to eat with braces. For more, please see our page here.
While you wear braces, you can still enjoy many delicious options. By knowing which foods to avoid, you can help treatment go smoothly and more efficiently. Then, you’ll be ready to show off your dream smile. As a reward for your efforts, you can enjoy all your favorite foods again before you know it.
Foods to Eat with Braces
Generally, foods to eat with braces are soft, not hard, chewy, sticky, or crunchy. That way, these foods won’t stick in your brackets or damage wires. So, you can enjoy them all you like and not worry about possibly breaking a wire, which could require an emergency visit.
Foods to eat with braces:
- Soups
- Yogurt
- Seafood
- Soft fruit
- Pancakes
- Muffins
- Puddings
- Soft bread
- Soft cheese
- Cooked rice
- Milkshakes
- Cooked pasta
- Oatmeal and grains
- Scrambled eggs
- Soft wraps and tortillas
- Cooked and soft veggies
- Soft desserts and cakes
As you can see, many of these choices are delicious, and you can enjoy a treat on occasion. Previously, we looked at some of the treats you’ll want to avoid to save your braces. As always, it’s best to limit sugary items and rinse, brush, and floss after meals and snacks.
For more ideas of safe treats to enjoy, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) has some recommendations for the holidays.
For more foods to eat with braces, we’re always finding more great recipes by searching online. For example, a search on Pinterest with the keywords of “braces recipes” yields endless visual ideas and links to more choices.
Additionally, Ricci Orthodontics occasionally shares ideas for foods to eat with braces on our Instagram and Facebook pages. For example, below, we look at braces-friendly Banana Bread.
View this post on Instagram
Which Food to Avoid with Braces
When you are new to braces, it might seem confusing which foods are best avoided. Generally, they fit into these categories:
- Hard
- Sticky
- Chewy
- Crunchy
Thus, it’s simple to know what to avoid by keeping these categories in mind.
In a few cases, there are hard foods that become soft when cooked. For example, apples and carrots can be chopped finely and cooked. Then, you can enjoy them without a problem.
Limit Sugary Foods and Drinks
While you are wearing braces or Invisalign, it’s a good idea to be more mindful of limiting sugary foods and drinks. Of course, the same rule applies in general, but it’s especially true during orthodontic treatment. Therefore, try to limit sugary treats and beverages like soda, diet soda, energy drinks, or sugary fruit juices.
Staining Foods and Drinks
Over time, some foods can discolor braces’ guide wires and ties. Consequently, they may appear discolored. At your monthly adjustment, we’ll replace these ties. However, you may want to limit or avoid strongly pigmented foods.
Foods that can stain:
- Coffee
- Tea
- Red Wine
- Beets
- Curry
- Currants
- Mustard
- Tomatoes
- Grape Juice
- Berries
- Soy sauce
- Grape juice
- Balsamic vinegar
- Some food colorings
Likewise, these foods will stain clear Invisalign aligners if you keep the aligners in your mouth. So, it’s always best to take out the aligners for meals, snacks, and when you drink something other than plain water. Additionally, it’s necessary to avoid letting your aligners touch hot liquids, which can warp them.
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Some Foods to Avoid Right After Getting Braces
After you get your braces, your teeth and gums can be more sensitive than usual for a week or so. During this time, you might want to avoid foods like these:
- Bread with a tough crust
- Spicy foods and citrus
- Tough cuts of meat
- Ice cream*
*Some people may be more cold-sensitive than others. However, ice cream is best limited overall since it’s a sugary item.
We hope this information about foods to eat with braces has been helpful. Remember, by sticking to softer safe foods; your treatment will be more efficient and comfortable. Then, you can enjoy any items you missed again when your treatment is complete.
Best of all, you’ll have a beautiful, healthy smile to show for your efforts.
Should a loose or broken wire or bracket occur, call or text Ricci Orthodontics at 678-417-9848 immediately to schedule an emergency appointment.
Ricci Orthodontics offers customized orthodontic care for the whole family in Johns Creek, Georgia. We are happy to also welcome patients from nearby areas, including Duluth, Alpharetta, Suwanee, Cumming, Norcross, Roswell, and Milton.
Contact us for a free consultation. Or, call us anytime at 678-417-9848. We’re here to help you get your dream smile in our fun state-of-the-art location.
Tags: braces, caring for braces, what not to eat with braces
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