Best Foods to Eat With Braces

If you are planning on getting braces it’s important to prepare for any changes that can come with them. While your diet won’t change drastically, there are a number of foods you’ll need to avoid so they don’t impact your braces treatment. Below you will find the best foods to eat with braces.

There are a number of “braces-friendly” foods that can you can enjoy during treatment. The following list is not comprehensive, but it should give you a good idea of what you can eat during braces treatment.

Dairy: Yogurt, milk, pudding, cottage cheese, and ice cream
Grains: Cooked rice, spaghetti, macaroni and cheese, muffins, pancakes, waffles, and oatmeal
Protein: Shredded chicken, meatloaf, meatballs, fish, and eggs
Produce: Steamed vegetables, cooked beans, mashed potatoes, grapes, watermelon, applesauce, and bananas
Meals and Snacks: Casseroles, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, soups, grilled cheese, and Jello

Tips for Eating with Braces

While there are a ton of different types of foods you can eat with braces in Los Angeles, it’s important to prepare the food properly. This can help you chew and digest the food effectively. Keep cooking simple and focus on foods that are soft. Crockpot meals are a huge benefit if you have braces as you can eat soft food that is tasty. If you are eating foods that aren’t as soft, cut them into bite-sized pieces. This can help you break them down much easier. Avoid biting off or tearing foods apart with your teeth as this can put excess pressure on your teeth and braces. There is no need to miss out on your favorite foods with braces if you properly prepare your meals and snacks.

Foods to Avoid

There are certain foods you should avoid altogether if you have braces. There are a number of foods that can damage your wires, bands, and even cause a bracket to separate from your tooth. Avoid the following during braces treatment.

Hard and sticky candy
Popcorn
Nuts
Hard pretzels and chips
Crunchy fruits and vegetables
Pizza crust
Bagels and hard rolls
Ice

Adjusting to Your Braces

The first week after you get your braces on requires some extra care due to how sensitive your mouth will feel. You’ll need to eat foods that don’t exacerbate the pain as you adjust during the first week. It’s best to avoid chewing any food the first few days. This means you’ll need to eat really soft foods that don’t need to be broken down through chewing. Foods like smoothies, oatmeal, soups, scrambled eggs, and mashed potatoes are all really helpful during the first few days. As you begin to adjust, you can start incorporating foods that require minimal chewing. Pasta, soft veggies, bananas, and soft cheeses are great transitions as you round out the first week.

Benefits of Braces

While you may need to adjust your diet during braces treatment, there are a number of benefits to the treatment. Consider the following benefits if you are considering braces treatment.

Improved Oral Health:

In addition to the aesthetic benefits, braces can ensure your oral health is in good shape for the long haul. Crooked teeth put you at a higher risk for tooth decay. Straightening your teeth reduces that risk leading to long-term oral health benefits.

Speech and Digestive Improvements:

For those who have speech or digestive issues due to their crooked teeth or bite, braces can improve both. Braces not only straighten out your teeth, but they also help align your bite so you can effectively chew and speak without issues.

Confidence:

Braces can improve your confidence and self-esteem as a straight and bright smile is something everyone wants. For those who are embarrassed of their smile or avoid talking due to dental issues, braces can be highly beneficial.

Braces Treatment

Braces are an effective way to improve the look of your smile. They can also help improve your oral health. If you are considering braces, contact the team at The Best Brace Place. Their team has helped countless patients improve their smile through braces treatment. Contact the top orthodontist in Downtown LA today to schedule a consultation!