Are you wondering what foods you can eat with braces? Can you still enjoy pizza? What about chewing gum? Do you have to stick to soft foods for the next two years? Here's what you need to know if you're considering braces!
The great news is you're not limited to just soft foods for the next two years. You can still savor a wide range of foods while wearing braces. Understanding which foods are braces-friendly and which are not is key to maintaining your braces and ensuring the best outcomes.
With the right choices, you can enjoy a variety of delicious foods and keep your braces in great shape!
Foods to Enjoy After Getting Braces
Getting braces is a big step towards a healthier smile, but it can take some adjustment, especially when it comes to eating. While getting braces doesn't hurt, your mouth might feel sensitive in the following days. This sensitivity means you'll want to stick to softer foods to avoid discomfort and give yourself time to adapt to chewing with braces.
Your orthodontist will likely recommend starting with a diet that includes:
- Mashed Potatoes: Smooth and easy to eat without much chewing.
- Yogurt: Soft and soothing, perfect for a sore mouth.
- Soups: Warm and comforting, providing nourishment without much effort.
- Scrambled Eggs: Protein-rich and soft.
- Oatmeal: Soft and nutritious, easy on the teeth and braces.
- Seafood: Soft varieties like salmon or tilapia are good choices.
- Soft Fruits: Bananas, berries, and applesauce are easy to eat.
- Soft Cheeses: Creamy cheeses like brie or cottage cheese are gentle.
- Cooked or Soft Vegetables: Steamed carrots, peas, or mashed sweet potatoes.
- Moist Desserts: Pudding, gelatin, or soft cakes are easy on braces.
- Pasta: Cooked pasta is soft and satisfying.
Anything easy to chew will be your best friend during this initial period. As your mouth adjusts and any sensitivity subsides after a few days or up to a week, you can gradually reintroduce other foods into your diet. Just remember to take it easy and follow your orthodontist's advice to ensure a smooth transition to life with braces!
Foods to Avoid When You Have Braces
Having braces means taking extra care with your food to keep them in good shape and avoid mishaps. Braces can be sensitive to damage, so it's important to steer clear of certain foods throughout your treatment.
Here are the foods you should avoid with braces:
- Popcorn: Those small kernels can get stuck in your braces and cause problems.
- Nuts: Hard and crunchy nuts can bend wires or break brackets.
- Ice: Chewing on ice cubes can damage brackets and wires.
- Chewing Gum: Sticky gum can get tangled in your braces and be tough to remove.
- Hard Candy: You can break or pull braces off your teeth.
- Chewy Candy: Sticky candies like caramels can bend wires and pull off brackets.
- Pizza Crust, Bagels, and Hard Rolls: These hard breads can dislodge brackets.
- Crunchy Vegetables and Fruits: Raw carrots, apples, and celery can be tough on braces.
- Hard Crackers, Pretzels, Chips: These crunchy snacks can damage braces.
Additionally, limit sugary foods and drinks. Sugar mixes with saliva to create plaque, which can be difficult to clean around braces. Brushing and flossing become more challenging with braces, increasing the risk of tooth decay.
While an occasional treat is fine, limit sugary snacks and beverages to a few times a week to keep your teeth healthy and braces clean. Your orthodontist will appreciate your efforts.
Maintaining Dental Health with Braces
Taking care of your teeth while wearing braces is essential to avoid problems and ensure your treatment goes smoothly. Here are some easy tips to keep your dental health in check:
- Brush Regularly: Brush your teeth at least three times a day, especially after meals, using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Pay extra attention to cleaning around your braces and remove all food particles.
- Floss Daily: Use interdental floss and a floss threader to clean between your teeth and around your braces. This helps prevent plaque buildup, which can lead to cavities and gum disease.
- Regular Dental Checkups: Schedule regular cleanings and checkups with your orthodontist and dentist. Dental cleanings remove stubborn plaque and ensure your braces remain properly fitted.
- Fluoride Mouthwash: Your dentist may recommend using fluoride to strengthen your teeth and decrease the risk of tooth decay.
- Chewing Techniques: Learn to chew with your back teeth instead of your front teeth. This helps avoid damaging your braces, especially when eating harder foods like bread or meat.
Following these simple steps and maintaining good oral hygiene habits can protect your teeth, keep your braces in shape, and ensure a healthy smile throughout your orthodontic treatment.
Getting braces can improve your teeth significantly. However, you should also be careful about eating and maintaining good dental hygiene.
If you are also looking for braces treatment in Badlapur, meet our expert orthodontist, Dr. Rathod. They will advise on which foods to avoid and include in your diet. If you need clarification on anything, feel free to ask them. Damaging your braces could mean your treatment takes longer, and you'll have to wear them for an extended period. So, following their guidance is best to keep your braces and teeth in good shape.