Taking good care of your teeth is extra important when you have braces. When you commit to straightening your teeth, you may have to change your brushing and flossing habits, as well as your diet. Giving up certain foods may seem like a chore, but it will be worth it in the long run. The better you protect your teeth and braces, the better the results will be.
How to Eat with Braces
Stick to soft foods for the first few weeks, while your mouth adapts to your new braces. Your teeth may be sensitive at first, so you should avoid anything super-cold (like ice cream) until you get used to your braces. About 20 minutes after every meal, you’ll need to brush your teeth to make sure no food particles get caught in your braces.
After a while, you can start eating more foods—like pizza or burritos—but you should always cut your food up into small bites. Some foods can damage your braces and loosen or even break the wires and bands. You might have to wait to eat certain things until after your braces come off.
What to Eat with Braces
- Bananas
- Oatmeal
- Smoothies
- Protein shakes
- Scrambled eggs
- Yogurt
- Applesauce
- Cheese
- Pasta
- Potatoes
- Soup
- Refried beans
- Rice
- Peanut butter (creamy)
- Hummus
What NOT to Eat with Braces
- Avoid foods that stain, like dark berries, coffee, and red wine (if you’re an adult). It’s trickier to clean your teeth when you have braces, and your enamel could get stained underneath your braces.
- Starchy foods like white bread and potato chips that can get stuck to your teeth will also get stuck on your braces. Keep these foods to a minimum and brush well to prevent cavities.
- Definitely don’t eat hard foods like nuts that could potentially break a wire. You should also avoid popcorn, seeds, and any other foods that can get caught between your teeth or in your braces.
- Stay away from foods that are difficult to chew, like bagels and beef jerky. Anything you need to tear with your teeth could really damage your braces.
- Avoid stringy foods like celery and spinach that can get caught in your braces. Don’t use this as an excuse not to eat your veggies, though! Try making a green smoothie instead.
- Don’t eat sticky candy like gummies, taffy, or caramel. If it gets caught in your braces, having that sugar trapped next to your teeth will increase your risk of cavities.
- And no gum! It’s not a food, but chewing gum is definitely a no-go when you have braces. Nothing else gets caught in braces quite like chewing gum. If you want fresh breath, try rinsing with mouthwash instead.
Dental Specialists in Aurora
If you have questions about what foods you can eat with braces and what foods to avoid, feel free to ask! Our convenient city center office is located at 990 South Abilene Street in Aurora, Colorado. You can schedule an appointment any time for your next exam and cleaning. New patients get their first exam, cleaning, and x-rays for just $59!