What Can I Eat with Braces?
Give up gummy bears? Put away the popcorn? No more nuts?
If you’re thinking about getting braces or have already decided to improve your smile, you likely have concerns about what foods you can and can’t eat.
Good news: there are tons of foods that are “braces-friendly” that you can still eat and enjoy throughout your orthodontic treatment. And yes, there are some foods that you will need to avoid as well. But isn’t having a healthy, confident smile worth temporarily giving up a few of your favorites? Most patients would say that it is.
When you first get braces
Like any other adjustment, the first few days are the toughest. Getting braces means your mouth will likely be sensitive in the days following your initial appointment, which is why soft foods are best for you in the beginning. When in doubt, anything that’s easy to chew is a great choice – hello, mac n’ cheese!
Some ideal foods to eat right after getting braces (and for the rest of your treatment) include:
Oatmeal
Scrambled eggs
Soups
Pasta
Seafood
Soft vegetables
Mashed potatoes
Soft cheeses
Bananas
Yogurt
There are several “safe” foods that are fine to enjoy during treatment but may cause sensitivity in the first few days. Some foods to avoid when experiencing tooth sensitivity include:
Ice cream
Spicy foods
Citrus fruits
Chewy bread or rolls
Chewy cuts of meat
Thankfully, you’ll be able to enjoy these foods again as soon as your teeth adjust to having braces.
Foods to ban with braces
Let’s get the not-so-fun part out of the way! There are certain foods that you’ll have to avoid during treatment – namely anything that’s hard or sticky. These foods can damage your wires or bands or even cause a bracket to separate from a tooth.
Some foods to altogether avoid with braces include:
Hard candy
Sticky candy such as jellybeans, licorice, caramel, or taffy
Popcorn
Nuts
Hard pretzels or chips
Crunchy vegetables or fruits
Pizza crust
Bagels or hard rolls
Ice
Best foods for your (soon-to-be) brilliant smiles
There are so many great foods that you can still eat with braces that you may not even miss the others! The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) encourages you to enjoy a variety of healthy and easy-to-chew foods during orthodontic treatment.
In addition to the foods that you can eat right after you get braces, a complete list of some excellent foods for braces includes:
Dairy:
Yogurt
Milk
Cottage Cheese
Bread and Grains:
Oatmeal
Pancakes and waffles
Muffins (without nuts)
Pasta
Cooked rice
Meats and Proteins:
Shredded Chicken
Meatloaf
Meatballs
Lunchmeat
Fish
Eggs
Fruits & Vegetables:
Bananas
Applesauce
Watermelon
Grapes
Mashed potatoes
Cooked beans
Steamed vegetables
Sweets:
Pudding
Soft cookies
Soft chocolates (no nuts or caramel)
Jell-O
Ice cream
Milkshakes
Cake/cupcakes (soft bread, no nuts)
And that’s just for starters! We encourage you to look at this experience as an ideal time to branch out and try different foods. Who knows, you might find some new recipes that stay on your menu long after your braces come off.
And finally, remember to trust an AAO orthodontist. An orthodontist is an expert in orthodontics; they possess the skills, education, and experience to give you your best smile.
Find an AAO orthodontist near you at https://aaoinfo.org/locator