Foods to Eat or Avoid With Braces

 You’ve taken a big step by having braces put on at
Dr. Kendra Manning Orthodontics.

It’s an exciting time, but it also comes with a bit of a learning curve—especially regarding your eating habits.

Some Helpful Tips to Chew On

As you get used to your new orthodontic treatment, you may need to make a few adjustments to your diet.

While your braces shouldn’t prevent you from eating, you should prioritize foods better suited to braces while avoiding those that can damage your appliances and prolong your treatment.

Here are some helpful tips to know about eating with braces so you can plan your meals accordingly:

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Foods to Eat With Braces

The good news is that you won’t have to resort to eating anything but baby food, pudding, and applesauce. However, you should learn about the best kinds of food to eat with braces so you can maintain your oral health.

It’s a good idea to try and eat soft foods that will be gentle on your new appliance, such as:

  • Dairy products, such as cheese
  • Bread and other grains, like pasta
  • Meat, poultry, and seafood
  • Cooked vegetables, like mashed potatoes
  • Soft fruits, like bananas

Regardless of what you eat while wearing braces, you should cut your food into bite-size portions before eating. This way, you can chew easier with your back teeth, decreasing the chance that food will get caught in your braces.

Foods to Avoid With Braces

You must be particularly careful with your teeth when you’re wearing braces, especially if you are wearing traditional braces.

Try to avoid sugary drinks or any other sugary foods that might cause cavities. If you do eat sugar, be sure to brush your teeth right away.

Here are some other foods to avoid with braces:

  • Chewy foods, like bagels
  • Crunchy foods, like chips
  • Sticky foods, like gum
  • Hard foods, like nuts
  • Foods you have to bite into, like corn on the cob
  • Raw, uncooked vegetables

Soreness is normal when you first get your braces. If your brackets are rubbing against the inside of your mouth when you chew, you can try placing dental wax over the edges to make the process a little smoother. We’re happy to provide you with some dental wax if you need it.

Our office is happy to handle orthodontic emergencies. We also accept walk-in emergency appointments.

Dr. Manning is happy to answer any questions you have about what you can or can’t eat while wearing braces. Call our Woodlands office at 281-367-0050 or our Montgomery office at 936-596-1200 today.