Dental braces have numerous advantages: they can correct crooked or crowded teeth, address gaps and spaces between your teeth, and ultimately improve your smile. But with all these benefits come sacrifices. When you have braces, you have to take note of the food you can eat and foods you should avoid.

You have to be mindful of what you eat, especially on the first few days after getting braces. Loosen brackets and wires can lead to more unscheduled appointments (which can be costly). Damage can also lead to your treatment time lasting longer, which means you have to wear your braces longer.

So, what are the foods to eat when you have braces? And what are the foods to avoid?

Foods to Eat When You Have Braces

When you have braces, you have to be mindful of the food you eat. It is better to stick to soft foods to prevent damage to your braces and keep them in good condition. Basically, you should eat food that is easy to chew. Here is a list of foods to eat when you have braces.

Soups

Soups are a good option when you have braces. They are soft and not difficult to make. Having a nice, warm bowl of soup is ideal after you get your braces. Whether you’re having creamy soup or brothy soup, you will not have to worry about breaking a wire or bracket.

Eggs

Eggs are soft foods, and they will not require a lot of pressure when chewing. You can prepare eggs in many ways – scrambled eggs, fried eggs, and boiled eggs. Whatever way you choose to have your eggs, they will not do damage to your braces.

Apart from the fact that they are easy to chew, they are also very healthy. So, with eggs, you can prevent harm to your braces and at the same time, stay healthy.

Pasta

Pasta is another food you can eat when you have braces. Pasta is soft, making it a good option to eat when you have braces. You just have to make sure that the other ingredients you add are not very hard or chewy!

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is easy to eat and also nutritionally rich. It is also a good option for starting the day. Oatmeal is a comforting choice, as it is delicious and soft. With oatmeal, you can prevent damage to your braces and at the same time, be health-conscious.

Pancakes

Pancakes are tasty and are good for breakfast. Thankfully, they are soft, which makes them part of the foods you can eat when you have braces. There are some foods you have to say goodbye to when you have braces, but thankfully, delicious pancakes are not among them.

The early stage of getting braces may be tough, and you may feel pain or initial discomfort in the first few days. These delicious pancakes are a great way to provide comfort.

Soft Fruits and Vegetables

Remember, you can eat fruits and vegetables when you have braces (and in fact, you should for health purposes), but make sure to eat soft fruits and vegetables. For fruits, bananas, blueberries, grapes, oranges, and melons are good choices. Avoid eating hard fruits such as apples and pears.

For vegetables, make sure that they are soft or cooked. Fruits and vegetables are good for your health, but to protect your braces, make sure to eat soft fruits and vegetables, not crunchy ones!

Fish

Fish is another excellent food choice when you have braces because they are soft and easy to eat. You will not have to worry about damaging your braces. Fish also comes with numerous health benefits, so be sure to eat fish while you have braces.

Yogurt

Yogurt is another soft food to eat when you have braces. Yogurt is soft, creamy, and delicious. It’s soothing, and like with other foods to eat when you have braces, it comes with health benefits. Yogurt is ideal when you first get braces and for the rest of your treatment.

Foods to Avoid When You Have Braces

Now, you also have to take note of the foods to avoid when you have braces. Basically, anything that is hard, crunchy, or sticky should be avoided if you want to protect your braces and avoid breaking wires or causing a bracket to separate from a tooth. Here’s a list of foods to avoid when you have braces.

Hard or Sticky Candies

Candies are yummy, but unfortunately, hard candies such as lollipops or candy canes can damage your braces. Sticky candy also isn’t good. So, it is better to wait until your treatment is over and your braces have been removed before you go back to eating hard or sticky candies again.

Popcorn

Popcorn is tasty and a really great snack when it’s movie night, but it is not a good option for people with braces. Kernels are braces’ worst enemy, as they can break wires or brackets. So, while you have braces on, it is better to avoid popcorn. Choose another snack for movie night.

Chewing Gum

When you have braces, you should avoid chewing gum as it can cause damage to wires. Gum can also get stuck in wires or brackets, which could lead to tooth decay and cavities. So, it is better to avoid chewing gum with braces on.

Pizza Crust

If you are a pizza lover, you don’t have to worry because you do not have to let go of pizza. One thing, however, that you should take note of is that you should avoid eating the crust. The crust is crispy and hard, which won’t be safe for your braces. So, remember to slice off the crust before you take a bite!

Nuts

Nuts are hard and can bend the wires of your braces. So, it is better to avoid nuts as they pose a risk to your braces.

Chips and Hard Crackers

Chips and hard crackers are delicious snacks, but remember, they are hard and crunchy, so they can cause damage to your wires or cause brackets to break. If you want to have a snack during the day, choose soft foods.

Bagels or Hard Rolls

Always remember that hard and chewy foods must be avoided. Bagels or hard rolls can loosen wires and brackets, so it is better to avoid them.

Ice

You can have ice in your drinks but remember not to chew on ice. It is a big no when you have braces.

Takeaways on Foods to Eat When You Have Braces

Having braces is a time when you have to embrace soft foods and let go of hard, crispy, or sticky ones. Having braces can be challenging as you have to say goodbye to some of your favorite food.

Just remember that the struggles are worth it because braces can straighten your teeth and fix many other dental issues. You just have to take note of the foods to eat when you have braces and foods to avoid in order to get that perfect smile.

Eat soft foods such as soups, eggs, and pasta. Avoid hard and sticky foods such as candies, popcorn, and gum.