One of the most common questions patients ask is, “would I be able to eat after getting braces?” The answer is Yes! But you’ll need to make a few minor changes in your fridge.
During the first week of treatment, your teeth and gums may feel a bit sore as they adjust to the pressure of your brackets and wires. Choosing softer, colder foods during this week is best. Our wires are also temperature sensitive, and eating colder foods will help the wires become more flexible and help your teeth feel less sore…pretty cool!
We are here to help you transition into your new braces diet with five simple tips to ensure a smooth treatment process with minimal discomfort.
Eating With Braces
We want you to enjoy your new braces treatment, and maximize your end results—and that means taking care of your braces so you don’t get broken brackets and pokey wires! Follow these helpful tips to ride the wave of confidence with us throughout your entire treatment.
1. Soft foods. Your teeth and gums may be sore during your first week with braces, so filling your fridge with soft foods is a good idea. Opting for a softer diet is the first step to mitigating any soreness, as you’re adjusting to the gentle pressure of your new treatment. Plus, every 8 to 10 weeks, your orthodontist will adjust your braces to keep your smile transformation on track. After these adjustment appointments, you may notice some minor soreness! Here are some soft, tasty food ideas for a tender mouth:
- Scrambled eggs — try adding some avocado, salt, and pepper!
- Healthy smoothies— add your favorite fruits!
- Soft fruits — avoid apples and other hard foods during your treatment (It’s easier to cut these fruits into bite-sized pieces
- rather than biting into them. Biting into whole fruits can break off brackets and make your teeth sore!)
- Soft bread — soft rolls and tasty pastries (Try to avoid tough crusts!)
- Dairy — yogurt, milk, and cottage cheese
2. Avoid sticky candy. As tempting as candy may be, it’s important to avoid sweets that are hard, sticky, chewy, because they can damage your braces by loosening a bracket or popping a wire loose. However, not all candies are off the table! Here are some ideas of sweet treats you may choose as alternatives—as long as you brush and floss your teeth afterward.
- Jello
- Soft chocolate
- Ice cream, sherbert, or sorbet
3. Fast food to eat with braces. We know you have a busy schedule, and sometimes you may have to eat on the go. There are some fast food choices you can eat with braces. (Keep in mind that you shouldn’t eat hard foods during your treatment. Crunchy foods can damage your braces and may require an emergency visit to our office!) Here are some ideas of soft fast foods you can eat with braces:
- Pizza —avoid the crust
- Brownies — no nuts
- Chicken nuggets — cut these into pieces to avoid damaging your braces!
- Soft tacos with all the fixings — avoid hard shells!
4. Chew carefully. It may take a few days to adjust to your braces treatment, so we recommend that you take your time and be patient with yourself! Opting for a softer diet will help you chew comfortably without damaging your braces or irritating your gums. As you get more comfortable with your braces and used to your changing bite after the first week, you’ll have more foods to choose from!
5. Salt water. It’s normal for patients to feel some minor soreness for a couple of days after getting their new braces. If your mouth is sore, we suggest gargling a warm salt water solution! Mix one teaspoon of salt with 8 ounces of warm water and swish it around your mouth. (You can also take Tylenol or an over-the-counter pain medicine to alleviate the soreness.)
We want you smiling from ear-to-ear, during and after your orthodontic treatment! At your initial complimentary consultation, our exceptional doctors (Dr. Caudill and Dr. McNeight) will tell you everything you need to know about your treatment! We will give you tips and advice on what to expect during your first week with braces, and what you can expect throughout the rest of your treatment.
If you’d prefer an orthodontic treatment that doesn’t require changes to your diet, consider Invisalign®! Invisalign clear aligners can be removed when you eat, so you won’t have any dietary restrictions. We are proud to be the only Invisalign Diamond Plus provider in Brevard County! This means we can offer Invisalign at the same price as braces and we can treat complex cases that other orthodontists may not be able to treat!
At Caudill & McNeight Orthodontics, we offer orthodontic treatment for all ages and we use only the most advanced treatments and technologies. We bring a personalized approach to each patient. When you start treatment with us, you can rest assured that you’re in the best hands.
If you’re ready to take the next step, request your free exam with us today! Catch a wave of confidence with us in Melbourne, Merritt Island or Viera.
