What can you eat when you first get braces?
Getting braces doesn’t hurt, but your mouth may be sensitive in the days following your appointment. Therefore, eating foods that have a tougher texture could cause pain.
Since you’ll also have to learn how to chew differently, your orthodontist will likely recommend only eating soft foods for the first few days.
Ideal foods to eat after getting braces include:
- mashed potatoes
- yogurt
- soups
- scrambled eggs
- oatmeal
- grains
- seafood
- soft fruits
- soft cheeses
- cooked or soft vegetables
- moist desserts
- pasta
Basically, anything that’s easy to chew.
What to keep avoiding while you have braces
Be mindful that braces are sensitive to damage, so you’ll need to avoid certain foods for as long as you have braces.
These include sticky and hard foods that can damage the wires or bands or cause a bracket to separate from a tooth.
Foods to completely avoid with braces include:
- popcorn
- nuts
- ice
- chewing gum
- hard candy
- chewy candy
- pizza crust
- bagels and other hard rolls
- crunchy vegetables and fruits
- hard crackers
- pretzels
- chips
Also, limit consumption of sugary foods and drinks while having braces. When sugar mixes with saliva, it creates a sticky film (plaque) that coats the teeth.
Brushing can remove plaque, but that becomes harder to do with braces. And if you’re unable to remove this sticky film, there’s a risk of tooth decay.
