What can you eat with braces?

What can you eat with braces? The simple and straightforward guide

Learning to eat with braces

foods to eat with braces

The initial stages of learning to eat with braces always seem tough and may present minor discomfort. However, once your braces have been applied, your orthodontist will provide you with simple instructions on how to clean, manage and eat with your braces.

Don’t worry, the first few days may seem scary and the prospect of wearing braces for anywhere between 6 – 24 months may not sound appealing. However, you will swiftly adapt to your braces and learn how to manage your eating habits.

What foods can you not eat with braces?

Below is a simple list of the foods to avoid when wearing braces:

  • Hard foods (nuts, pizza crusts, ice – apples and carrots can be eaten if cut small)
  • Sticky foods (sweets, toffees and chewing gum in particular must be avoided at all costs)
  • Sweet foods – although not as bad as hard and sticky foods, it’s advised that you avoid cake, ice-cream, biscuits and sugary drinks just for oral health reasons

Foods you can eat:

  • Soft foods – all dairy, soups, grains, seafood, chocolate, potatoes, meat, fruits & veg (if hard, cut them into bite-sized pieces)
soft foods you can eat with braces

These foods can be eaten under these conditions:

  • Pizza – do not eat the crust
  • Crusty bread – do not eat the crusts
  • Rice – brush carefully afterwards

What can you eat with braces on the first day?

Once your braces have been applied, you should stick to eating soft foods for the first day. Your teeth are only just learning to adapt to their new housing and ensuring you eat foods that will not disrupt the formation of your braces (or cause discomfort) is essential. Pastas, soups, yoghurts, soft fruit and vegetables are all safe to eat on the first day.

Additional tips:

foods you can eat one day after braces

Try to avoid big mouthfuls and tearing food with your teeth. This can cause food to get caught in your braces and make chewing difficult.

We always advise that you stay away from fizzy drinks but if they are a recurring part of your diet, it’s important to cut down to one fizzy drink a week. The carbonation and sugar cause problems to both your teeth and braces.

Why must I avoid these foods?

The problem with the food categories listed above is that they all present a risk to both your teeth and braces. Foods that are hard, sticky and sweet can cause damage to your braces, which in some cases, may require you to revisit your orthodontist for further assessment.

While braces are designed to be durable and can withstand a number of foods and drinks as well as routine cleaning, it’s important that patients avoid the foods listed above.

Food-related problems

painful braces

You may experience some discomfort when eating during your first few days, this is completely normal and nothing to worry about. We have outlined some of the common problems you may or may not experience and provided our expert advice:

Soreness

This is particularly common during the initial stages of your braces journey. Your teeth may feel slightly tender and eating may be uncomfortable for a few days, but this is simply your teeth adjusting to their new housing. You can help numb the pain by taking painkillers or swishing warm salt water around your mouth.

You may also experience soreness around you lips, tongue and gums. Again, this is the adaptation process, it is very common and there is no cause for concern. If after a few weeks the pain has not begun to disappear, please feel free to contact our friendly team and we will advise further.

Loose teeth

Your teeth may feel slightly loose when your braces are applied. This is a normal part of the repositioning process – and is the result of your braces gently moving your teeth into heir new positions. Once your teeth have been gently moved into their new positions, they will no longer be loose.

Playing sports with your braces

You will still be able to play sports while wearing braces. Wearing a gumshield is essential in order to help protect your mouth from any physical damage. Mouthguards can be moulded for you by our team. If you do experience any discomfort to your mouth as a result of a contact sport, please inform us immediately so we can advise further.

Cleaning and maintaining your braces

Maintaining your braces is very important to ensure you stay on the right path to straighter teeth. Any damages to your brace may hinder your straightening process. Be sure to continue brushing and flossing your teeth normally but paying extra attention to your braces, gently cleaning in and around your wires and brackets. Flossing is essential in order to remove any hidden foods within your teeth and braces.

For further information, contact our friendly team

The initial stages of brace application can be scary and it may take you time to adapt to your new braces. Our team is always on-hand to provide our expert advice on orthodontic treatment and care regarding your braces.

If you have any questions regarding your braces, either before or after application, our team would be more than happy to answer and advise further.


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