While the advantages of a flawless smile can last for years, many people ignore the changes they may face during their treatment. How can you brush and floss while wearing a wire brace covering most of your teeth? Even more serious than any of these concerns is the subject of what you can eat while wearing braces.
Fortunately, Dr. Kathryn Swan has created a braces-friendly diet plan that will clarify your food options and teach you how to make mealtime exciting and tasty without jeopardizing the investment in your dental health.
Foods to Avoid on Braces
While you have braces, there are certain foods you will need to avoid. This is to ensure the integrity of your braces, as well as to keep from foods getting stuck in your teeth, leading to cavities.
Here is a list of foods you need to avoid if you have braces:
• Hard vegetables
• Hard sweets and nuts
• Popcorns
• Corn chips
• Peanut butter
• Pretzels
• Hard-shell tacos
• Caramel, gum, or toffy
• Hard pizza crust
• Acidic foods, such as soda, lemons, or lime, which can trigger discoloration.
Braces-Friendly Foods
The good news is that there are some foods that are safe to eat while you have braces. The dental experts at Swan Orthodontics recommend the following for meals:
The First Week of a Braces Meal Plan
When you initially acquire braces, it is a good decision to stick to soft meals to get acclimated to how eating works with braces on. The first week after undergoing this orthodontic treatment, some easy things to eat include:
• Smoothies
• Mashed potatoes and meatloaf
• Soup
Regular Diet Going Forward
Once you’ve grown used to the experience of chewing with braces, you can begin to broaden your meal plan as long as you avoid the foods listed at the beginning of the article. One of the most essential things to remember when wearing braces is to do the majority of your chewing at the rear of your mouth. Here are some diet ideas for a braces-friendly diet.
Breakfast
To get your day started right, particularly before work or school, you should consume enough minerals and protein. Your braces-friendly breakfast should include:
• Scrambled eggs
• Smoothies prepared with yogurt, fruits, and other ingredients
• Casserole with soft eggs and cheese with tomato and zucchini
• Yogurt topped with mashed fruit and crunchy rice cereals at the bottom
• Milk-based oatmeal with cinnamon, mashed pears, or mashed bananas
Lunch
For a braces-friendly lunch, consider the following foods:
• Chili
• Soup
• Pasta salad with peeled cucumbers and tomatoes
• Tuna salad with soft bread
• Tofu scramble
• Fish
• Macaroni and cheese
Dinner
Here are simple and braces-friendly options for your supper:
• Soup and salad
• Ravioli and various types of noodle meals
• Loaded baked potatoes
• Mashed potatoes and meatloaf
• Macaroni and cheese
• Grounded beef and spaghetti
• Steamed vegetables and fish
• Rice and soft cooked beans, as well as tortillas and guacamole
• Grilled tofu
Snacks
Here are some foods that constitute a great snack while still meeting the criteria of the braces diet:
• Applesauce
• Bananas
• Jell-O
• Yogurt
• Clementine oranges
• Soft Cheese
Schedule a Consultation
Though braces might provide their own set of difficulties, eating with them does not have to be one of them. If you follow the above diet, you will discover that eating while wearing braces is more manageable than expected. For more braces-appropriate food guidance, read our guide here. Do you have any questions concerning braces? Reach out to our Caledonia, MI office by filling out this online contact form to schedule a consultation appointment.