This time, we’re looking at braces-friendly foods in our blog.
While you are working on your smile, you can still enjoy many delicious foods. And, you can still enjoy treats, so it’s not as limited as you may think.
By sticking to the general rules, you can help ensure your treatment goes as scheduled. Then, when your braces come off, you’ll have a perfect, healthy smile to be proud of for a lifetime! So, changing your diet during treatment is well worth the effort with a fantastic payoff.
By avoiding certain foods, you can avoid damaging your braces and maintain top oral health throughout treatment. First, we’ll look at the good stuff: Braces-friendly foods. Then, we’ll take a look at some foods to avoid.
Braces-Friendly Foods
Below, we’ve listed a sampling of foods to eat with braces. As you can, they’re soft. Plus, they don’t contain hard, sticky, chewy, or crunchy bits that can get stuck in brackets or loosen archwires.
- Soups
- Yogurt
- Seafood
- Soft fruit
- Pancakes
- Muffins
- Puddings
- Soft bread
- Soft cheese
- Cooked rice
- Milkshakes
- Cooked pasta
- Oatmeal and grains
- Scrambled eggs
- Soft wraps and tortillas
- Cooked and soft veggies
- Soft desserts and cakes
As you can see, there are many delicious options and some sweet options for occasional treats. As always, be sure to rinse, brush, and floss after meals to avoid any problems. Since food particles can get trapped around braces, it’s essential to maintain oral hygiene.
Got a sweet tooth? The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends soft treats for the holidays like Halloween and Christmas.
For additional suggestions, there are lots of great recipes online for those who wear braces. Pinterest can help you find new recipes. Sometimes, we share braces-friendly foods and recipes on our social media pages. So, please follow Dillon American Orthodontics on Instagram and Facebook.
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Which Foods to Avoid
Now, here’s an easy way to know what types of foods to avoid with braces. Generally, the problematic foods fall into the following categories:
- Hard
- Sticky
- Chewy
- Crunchy
Unfortunately, foods in these categories can damage braces. Then, you may need an emergency visit. So, it’s best to stick to the general rule to keep your treatment on schedule and avoid any setbacks.
In some cases, you can cook hard foods and enjoy them. For example, apples and carrots are fine when cooked or chopped finely.
Avoid Sugary Foods and Drinks
As common sense tells us, it’s always a good idea to limit foods and drinks. However, this is particularly true while wearing braces or Invisalign. Therefore, try to avoid sodas, including diet sodas, energy drinks, and sugary fruit juices.
Staining Foods and Drinks
Some foods can stain clear braces over time. Then, they may appear discolored and not as discreet as we would like. Thus, it’s best to limit or avoid them if possible.
Here are a few of the usual suspects:
- Coffee
- Tea
- Red Wine
- Beets
- Curry
- Currants
- Mustard
- Tomatoes
- Grape Juice
- Berries
- Soy sauce
- Grape juice
- Balsamic vinegar
- Some food colorings
Notably, these foods will also stain clear Invisalign aligners. It’s always best to take out aligners when you are eating or drinking. (Unless you are drinking plain water) Plus, you’ll need to avoid letting aligners touch hot liquids that can warp them.
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Foods to Temporarily Avoid After Getting Braces
For a week or so after you get your braces, your teeth and gums can be more sensitive than usual. During this time, it’s a good idea to avoid foods like these:
- Tough or crusty bread
- Citrus and spicy foods can be irritating
- Cuts of meat that are harder to chew
- Ice cream if your teeth are sensitive to cold
Notably, some people are unusually cold-sensitive for a time. So, they might want to avoid ice cream and frozen yogurt, at least until they adjust to braces.
Braces-Unfriendly Foods
As we mentioned, foods that are hard, sticky, chewy, and crunchy are best avoided. Therefore, watch out for foods like the following:
- Ice
- Nuts
- Chips
- Popcorn
- Hard tacos
- Jawbreakers
- Chewing gum
- Hard crackers
- Corn on the cob
- Hard, sticky, chewy, chewy foods
- Apples, carrots, hard veggies (unless sliced into small pieces or cooked)
- Tough bread like bagels, pretzels, or pizza crust
Keep in mind; this is not a complete list. So, if in doubt, it might be better to avoid the food.
If an item on this list is one of your favorites, consider it your reward when you complete treatment. Remember, braces are temporary, but a beautiful, healthy smile is forever. When treatment concludes, you can enjoy all your favorites again and enjoy your new smile!
We hope this information about braces-friendly foods has been helpful.
FREE Virtual Consultation from Home
Are you considering braces or Invisalign? Today, it’s never been safer or easier to get started from home. Plus, it’s free. Take a free virtual consultation from Dillon American Orthodontic Care.
- First, you’ll submit some photos of your smile.
- Then, our orthodontists will review your case carefully.
- Finally, we’ll reply with a recommended treatment plan.
- Schedule your first in-person consultation when you’re ready.
Importantly, you can get an estimate of cost and learn about affordable financing options. Thus, you can see nothing is preventing you from getting the care you deserve.
Get started with your free virtual consultation here.
As always, we’re here for you at 06371-918911. Today, we’re taking extra steps to keep everyone safe.
Or, schedule a free in-person consultation here.
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