Eating with Braces

Eating with Braces

Foods to Eat and Foods to Avoid with Braces

Eating is a big part of life, but you might find that you have to make some adjustments to your diet when you start wearing braces. While the braces themselves shouldn’t prevent you from eating, there are certain foods that are better suited to braces, as well as some you should avoid.

Learning which foods you can eat with braces and which you should avoid is essential to properly maintaining your braces. Here are some things to know about eating with braces so you can plan your meals accordingly.

Foods to Eat with Braces

The good news is that you won’t and shouldn’t have to resort to eating nothing 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

No matter what kind of food you are eating, it is recommended that you cut your food in to bite-size portions before eating your meal. This way, it’ll be easier to chew with your back teeth, decreasing the chance that food will be caught in your braces.

What to Avoid

It’s important that you 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

It’s normal for there to be some soreness when you first get your dental 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.

If you have any questions about what you can or can’t eat with dental braces, Dr. Pratt Manning will be happy to answer them. Give our office in The Woodlands, TX a call at 281-367-0050 (Woodlands) or 936-596-1200 (Montgomery) today

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