What Can & Can’t You Eat with Braces? - Video Guide

Use your best judgment, and if you have any questions about whether a certain food is safe, ask your orthodontist for more information or watch a video.

What Should You Eat With Braces? What Shouldn't You Eat? Read On To
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What Should You

Eat With Braces? What Shouldn't You Eat? Read On To Learn More.

Follow these rules for a successful orthodontic treatment with braces. Eating the right foods is crucial for protecting your braces and ensuring the treatment goes smoothly.

Opt for braces-friendly soft foods to maintain a healthy bite, straight teeth, and a great smile. During your orthodontic treatment, it's essential to avoid certain foods that can damage your braces appliance.

Choose wisely from the list of braces-friendly soft foods to make your journey comfortable. Whether you have lingual braces or ceramic braces, these guidelines apply to all types. Remember, your commitment to the right diet plays a significant role in achieving the desired results.

Make informed choices and enjoy the benefits of orthodontic treatment. Your efforts in following these simple rules will pay off with a beautiful smile.

What Can You Eat with Braces the First Week

What Can You Eat

With Braces the First Week?

After getting braces, it's important to be mindful of what you eat to avoid discomfort and potential harm to your wires and brackets. During the first week, your teeth, lips, and gums may feel sore and irritated as they adjust to it.

Remember, this "First week with braces diet" helps minimize any potential issues and allows your mouth to adapt more comfortably. Steer clear of foods that could be problematic with braces, and prioritize a diet that won't compromise the effectiveness of your orthodontic treatment time. Be cautious about what you eat to avoid with braces any unnecessary challenges during this adjustment phase.

The following soft foods are great to eat in the first week after getting braces:

  • Oatmeal or rice cereal
  • Yogurt, pudding, or Jell-O
  • Smoothies
  • Soft, boiled vegetables
  • Scrambled eggs
  • Soup
  • Mashed potatoes

Once the pain subsides, which typically takes a few days, you can expand your diet. However, it is important to steer clear of hard and sticky foods, as elaborated below.

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soft stews and mashed potatoes for braces

What Foods Are Good to Eat

During Braces Treatment?

When you have braces, making braces-safe food choices is crucial. Soft foods that are easy to chew are the best options. Hard or chewy foods can put pressure on the braces brackets and wires. Therefore, it's advisable to slice them into chunks and masticate using your molars.

Avoid eating foods and drinks that could damage them. However, rest assured, there are numerous foods that you can relish. These foods will not only protect your braces but also ensure your orthodontic care progresses smoothly. With these tips, you can maintain a healthy and delicious diet while wearing it.

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Research shows that a soft diet can provide all the vitamins and minerals needed for good health during orthodontic treatment.

The following foods are good to eat throughout your braces treatment:

  • Boiled or steamed vegetables
  • Boneless cooked seafood
  • Eggs
  • Soft bread and baked goods
  • Hamburgers and hot dogs
  • Cool treats like ice cream, popsicles, and smoothies
  • Mashed potatoes
  • Pancakes & waffles
  • Pasta & sauce
  • Peanut butter
  • Soup
  • Jell-o, yogurt, and puddings
  • Hot cereals: oatmeal, cream-of-wheat, grits, etc.
  • Rice
  • Soft cheese
  • Soft fruits or fruit cut into small bites
  • Crunchy vegetables cut into small bites
  • Meat cut off the bone
  • Corn off the cob

Can You Eat Chips & Popcorn with Braces

Can You Eat

Chips & Popcorn with Braces?

Skip hard chips and popcorn when you have braces to prevent damage or discomfort. Choose softer alternatives instead.

These foods are crunchy and can pressure them, causing issues. Eating them may lead to bits getting stuck under the wire, making cleaning difficult. This can result in bacterial growth, staining, and enamel discoloration.

For better oral hygiene, choose braces-friendly foods. Also, remember to brush your teeth regularly to maintain a healthy smile. Investigate appropriate foods that you can consume without causing them harm.

Some chips are okay to eat with braces. Softer chips like Pringles, baked chips, and cheese puffs are all approved to eat with braces on, just make sure to eat one at a time and bite them with your back teeth. Hard chips to avoid include Doritos, Fritos, Takis, tortilla chips, crunchy Cheetos, and other similarly crunchy chips.

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Can You Eat Cereal While Wearing Braces

Can You Eat

Cereal While Wearing Braces?

Avoiding hard foods with braces is best. Hot cereals are perfectly appropriate during your treatment, so continue eating oatmeal, rice cereal, cream-of-wheat, and other similarly soft hot cereals.

When wearing Invisalign, it's important to be cautious about your food choices to maintain the integrity of your treatment. Avoid hard and crunchy cereals, as they can exert excessive pressure on them, potentially leading to bending, breaking, or loosening. Opt for food options that are compatible with Invisalign to maintain their integrity.

Prioritize a diet that is gentle them to ensure their effectiveness. Remember, a little care can go a long way in preserving your dental health during Invisalign treatment. Be mindful of what foods you can eat safely, and follow these precautions to support the success of your Invisalign journey.