Flashing your brilliant smile is the best introduction you can make. That’s why taking great care of your chompers with regular dental treatments is so important. Some treatments might include orthodontic care, a specialized dentistry branch focusing on correcting teeth and jaw irregularities. Even though it might initially sound intimidating, orthodontic treatments like braces are common. While getting braces means you’ll have to change your eating habits, remember it’s only a temporary adjustment!
Looking for a better understanding of what to eat with braces? The team at Smiley Dental is here to help. We will guide you through a list of delicious foods you can still enjoy with braces and answer any additional questions you may have. With Smiley Dental as your care team, you can rest assured knowing you’re in experienced, capable hands throughout your orthodontic journey. Give us a call today to learn more about our services and the support we can provide.
Navigating Eating with Braces
The rumors of your inability to eat scrumptious food with braces were greatly exaggerated. There is a wide variety of foods to eat with braces that we’re willing to bet are already in your regular diet. For example, you can still get your fix of all your favorite carbs with pasta, casseroles and lasagna, mashed potatoes, soft breads, sandwiches, dairy, and best of all, pizza (just without the crust). This variety ensures that you won’t feel restricted in your diet, even with braces.
So, what can you eat with braces? You will be mainly limited to soft foods, but there are many options you can choose from to get your protein in and keep your energy up. Soft, flaky fish like tilapia, salmon, and flounder are unlikely to damage your braces and won’t hurt your gums to chew. You can also enjoy deboned meats – chicken breast, pork, and lean beef such as venison, tenderloin, and top sirloin – that have been cut into small pieces. Steer clear of chewy meats for a while, as you may have difficulty chewing them properly, which could create a choking hazard.
Remember that most of the above-listed foods are meant to be eaten after your gums have had a little time to heal and you can move your jaw normally. This usually takes at least one week. With that in mind, let’s discuss what to eat with braces the first week.
The First Week
We’ve already discussed some soft foods for braces. Now, let’s discuss the ones best suited for the first week of wearing them. This period is going to be the most uncomfortable. Choosing the right foods to eat throughout the first week is crucial to minimizing any pain you might be dealing with. Foods that are easy to chew and won’t irritate sensitive gums at meal time are oatmeal, scrambled eggs, soups, and soft vegetables.
Oatmeal is a warm and comforting, delicious, nutritional powerhouse, and so are scrambled eggs. Try these two easy-to-chew options together for a filling breakfast. For lunch and dinner, soup is excellent paired with steamed or boiled veggies. There are countless types of soup to choose from– just be careful you don’t make it too hot. After a meal, feel free to indulge in ice cream! This sweet treat helps relieve some of the pressure caused by the wires. That it happens to be one of the world’s best comfort food is just a plus.
Safe soft foods to eat with braces that are ideal for a snack include:
- Smoothies
- Yogurt
- String cheese and other soft cheese
- Grapes
- Bananas
- Applesauce
- Sweet potato fries
- Pudding or custard
- Hummus
After Week One
Don’t worry, you won’t have to stick to a soft-food only diet forever. Only the first week or so. After that time frame, your options of food to eat with braces expand. The American Association of Orthodontists suggests the following list of foods that you can enjoy with minimal difficulty:
- Dairy — Milk, cottage cheese, pudding, ice cream, and yogurt.
- Breads and grains — Oatmeal, pancakes/waffles, nut-less muffins, macaroni and cheese, spaghetti, tortilla wraps, and cooked rice.
- Proteins — Shredded or finely diced chicken, meatloaf, lean beef, meatballs, eggs, lunchmeat (ham, turkey, salami, etc.), and fish (includes sushi).
- Fruits — Bananas, applesauce, sliced apples, watermelon, oranges, kiwi, and grapes.
- Vegetables – Mashed or boiled potatoes, cooked beans, and steamed vegetables.
- Other – Casserole, jello, grilled cheese, soup, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and lasagna.
The No-No List
What can you not eat with braces? The answer to that question should be fairly obvious: foods that could get stuck in them and/or cause damage. Think along the lines of sticky, stretchy, crunchy foods. Snacks with such consistencies can loosen brackets, wires, and bands, or even cause a bracket to separate from your teeth. If this happens, you’ll need orthodontic intervention, which will delay your overall treatment timeline.
During the first few days of your treatment, your teeth will be highly sensitive. As such, avoid spicy food, citrus fruit, and ice cream, as well as the chewy breads and meats that have already been discussed. After your teeth have adjusted, you can eat them again. The complete list of what not to eat with braces includes:
- Nuts
- Popcorn
- Crunchy/raw veggies
- Chewy bread/hard rolls
- Gum (sugar-free is okay)
- Corn on the cob
- Bagels
- Ice
- Beef jerky
- Chewy meat
- Meat on the bone (wings and ribs)
- Whole apples
- Chips/pretzels
- Candy (hard and sticky)
- Sugary drinks
Chips and Braces
If you’re a salty snack connoisseur, you might be worried about your favorite crunchy delights being on the no-no list. So, what chips can you eat with braces? In general, chips are NOT recommended with braces. The little, sharp pieces can easily get into your braces, damaging them, or even get stuck in your gums. However, if you absolutely need to have some, baked, not fried, baked, chips are the best option. Break them into small, manageable pieces and chew slowly to avoid injury.
Candy and Braces
For all those with a sweet tooth, saying sayonara to candy is a sad thought. Luckily, you won’t have to! You can still enjoy candy if you’re careful and avoid items on the do-not-eat list. Remember to thoroughly clean your teeth and braces afterwards, as even allowed candy can build up and lead to problems. Now, what candy can you eat with braces? Let’s review:
- Chocolate
- Cookies
- Ice cream
- Marshmallows
- Cake and brownies
- Peanut butter cups
- Sliced/peeled apples
You should NOT eat:
- Caramel
- Hard candies (Jawbreakers, butterscotch, Jolly Ranchers, suckers, etc.)
- Gummy candy (Jelly beans, licorice, Starburst, Tootsie rolls, Airheads, Sour Patch Kids, gummy bears, taffy, etc.)
- Candy corn
- Bubble gum
- Skittles
Beverages and Braces
You’ll need to cut down your sugar consumption with braces. This means steering clear of soda and other carbonated drinks since they are high in sugar and typically acidic, leading to tooth decay and erosion. Plus, they stain your teeth, and you’re working hard to make them look their best! If you’d still like to enjoy such beverages occasionally, drink with a straw to minimize contact with your teeth. Drinks to avoid with braces include:
- Carbonated waters
- Natural fruit juices
- Sports drinks
- Sodas
- Tea
- Coffee
Tips for Eating with Braces
We understand that the do’s and don’ts associated with braces can be overwhelming. It will undoubtedly take some time to adjust to your new way of life. But here’s the thing, you don’t have to adjust alone! Review our tips for eating with braces to make the transition easier.
- Cooking: Keep things soft as they require less chewing and put minimal pressure on your braces. A Crock-pot or Instant Pot will be your new best friend for making brace-friendly meals. Don’t forget to cut everything into bite-sized pieces and cut off pizza crusts.
- Eating: Avoid biting anything with your front teeth as they will be sensitive. Ensure you use your back teeth to chew, not to strain your braces. Never eat meat off the bone and avoid foods or drinks at extreme temperatures as they heighten tooth sensitivity.
- Slowing down: Carefully chew your food. Braces are delicate and chewing too fast or aggressively may break them.
- Cleaning routine: After eating each time, swish water to dislodge particles, floss, and brush to prevent plaque build-up and staining.
- Drinking water: Drinking water during the day keeps you hydrated and helps maintain oral cleanliness. It aids in washing away food particles and acidic residues.
Thinking to yourself, “What can I eat with braces and how will they affect my diet?” Smiley Dental can answer both questions for you and offer valuable advice!
Maintaining Oral Hygiene
Good oral hygiene is essential to preventing cavities from forming. It becomes even more important with braces. If the teeth and braces are not adequately cleaned of food debris, tartar and plaque can accumulate, causing white spots on the teeth’s surfaces.
As braces make it difficult to reach all the back corners of your teeth and gums, we recommend brushing for two minutes twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to strengthen the enamel and decrease cavities. Consider switching to an electric toothbrush as they have proven to remove more plaque than other brushes. Ensure you floss at least once daily and rinse with a fluoride mouthwash to decrease your mouth bacteria.
Aside from a proper brushing routine, eating the right foods is vital to oral care. A person’s diet directly affects the oral microbiome and, as such, tooth decay. Simply put, a good or bad diet can alter which bacteria thrive or die. This contributes to disease or tooth decay, especially regarding high-sugar intake. Still worried about what to eat with braces? Check with your orthodontist.
While your orthodontist will provide specific guidelines for caring for them, maintaining their cleanliness is ultimately your responsibility. During check-up visits, your dedicated dental team will examine the braces for any damage to brackets or plaque buildup. If you notice a bracket no longer attached to a tooth, contact your orthodontist immediately.
FAQs
How will braces affect my eating habits?
Your eating habits may not be affected too much depending on your regular diet. Avoid anything but soft foods when thinking about what to eat with braces the first week. Once your teeth are less sensitive, you can incorporate more foods into your diet. Visit the American Association of Orthodontists to understand better what you can eat after one week.
What can you not eat with braces?
Food you cannot eat with braces includes hard and sticky candy, corn on the cob, whole apples, nuts, popcorn, tough or chewy meat, raw vegetables, bagels or hard bread, chips, and more.
What are the best foods to eat with braces?
The best foods to eat with braces are soft. You can eat pasta, seafood, soft cheeses, mashed potatoes, oatmeal, scrambled eggs, soup, bananas, and more for the first few days. After a week, you can eat finely diced or shredded chicken, lean meats, and more.
How much will braces cost me?
Most braces will cost between three and ten thousand dollars. The price depends on your location, the type of braces selected, and the complexity of your orthodontic needs. Traditional metal braces cost $3,000–$7,000; ceramic braces cost $4,000–$8,000; and lingual braces cost $8,000–$10,000.
What are the benefits of braces and how long will I have them?
The benefits of getting braces include improved oral health (straight teeth are easier to clean), enhanced bite function, elevated aesthetics, reduced risk of future problems, better digestion, and increased self-esteem.
Determining how long you will have braces without an examination is difficult. However, we can tell you that the average patient wears braces for 18–24 months. Treatment lengths account for your age, the amount of correction needed, and the type of braces.
Smiley Dental: Your Orthodontic Partner
Like we said before, your smile is your brightest feature. You deserve to feel confident in it! If yours leaves you feeling like there’s something to be desired, it may be time to consider calling an orthodontist. May we suggest Smiley Dental be that orthodontist?
Our team of experienced professionals will create a care plan specifically tailored to your needs and as closely aligned with your ideal timeline as possible. From general dentistry to pediatrics, preventative to cosmetic, and orthodontic services, we’re the practice with it all. For the most affordable, highest-quality orthodontic care in Dallas, Ft. Worth, Arlington, and San Antonio, visit Smiley Dental. Call our office today to set up a consultation and learn more about braces.
Client Testimonials
We understand how important it is for you to feel like you can trust your dentist. That’s why we provide plenty of reviews to see what real clients say about their experience with our team. Take a look at what past Smiley Dental patients have to say about us:
“Finally a Good Dentist! I finally found a dentist who cares about your teeth’s health and doesn’t take advantage of our insurance. The staff is super friendly. I also took my two-year-old twin boys, and the doctor made them feel comfortable, and honestly, they left the office happy.”
-Judy A., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Smiley has taken such good care of our kiddo and myself. They are transparent about all costs and patient with our many questions. I can not recommend them more!”
-Samantha A., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I am a senior, and I went to have my teeth cleaned and checked for other procedures. The service was very good. I was made to feel very comfortable doing the procedure, thanks to Kimmy, who made me feel comfortable before the procedure. Thanks to the dental assistant who assisted with the dentist. Thank you, Dr. Steven Nguyen, for your time and patience during the procedure due to my age. Finally, the office experience was very inviting and relaxed. Everyone was extremely friendly and capable.”
-Thelma W., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I went in to get my teeth cleaned and was greeted with bright smiles and good laughs. 100% recommend.”
-Ryen D., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I am back at Smiley Dental after a couple of years of being away due to my insurance changing, and I can’t be happier to be back. The staff is always personable, and my teeth felt so clean today after my visit. I was also given additional instructions on how to take even better care of my teeth. The office is always clean, which I really appreciate.”
-Beverly B., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I have been going to this location since 2023, and when I say they’re the BEST, they truly are. The staff is amazing, professional, kind, and willing to help you whenever they can. Also, don’t try to forget about an appointment; the staff is on point to remind you. Dr. Michelle is the BOMB!!!!! She does wonders with dental tools. Unless my insurance is no longer accepted, Herr, I will continue to come back and refer my friends to do so as well.”
-P. Rit, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
