What Can and Can’t You Eat with Braces? Explore Food Items

Having braces or retainers on your teeth comes with several food restrictions. If you wear braces to align your teeth, you must research what you can and can’t eat with braces. However, there are a variety of food items that you still can eat while wearing braces. 

Orthodontic patients often worry about their dietary intake. Focusing on what you can eat with braces makes adjustments easier. It helps patients make healthy choices that have lifelong oral and overall health benefits. 

What Foods to Avoid With Braces?

The structure of the braces is complex and surrounded by brackets, bands, and wires that can damage your teeth while eating some hard foods. So, one must be mindful when eating these foods to avoid damage. Furthermore, avoiding certain foods and proper hygiene are essential to prevent cavities. 

There is a list of food items you can’t eat with braces, which can damage your teeth or braces.

Here are the items:

1: Sticky & chewy foods

Eating any chewy or sticky food, especially at the beginning of your braces phase, can be challenging. The sticky food sticks to the wires, and chewy foods can pull or loosen your braces. 

Chewy and sticky foods get stuck in the braces and teeth, building up food debris and bacteria. The bacterial growth in the teeth increases tooth decay and gum diseases. 

Here is a list of food items list that one must avoid such as:

2: Hard & crunchy foods

Hard food items such as apples or raw carrots can be tough on your teeth. Teeth put extra pressure on your teeth and braces, which can easily get stuck in or between your teeth. So, the best is to avoid hard and crunchy foods such as:

3: Meat products

Can you eat meat with braces? Biting and chewing tough meat products can lodge between your teeth and braces. It causes debris buildup in the teeth, which is irritating. Additionally, the debris can cause tooth decay or gum diseases. So, make sure not to eat meaty products such as:

What Food Items Can You Eat with Braces?

There is good news for braces users: after braces installation, they still have plenty of choices in their diet. Here is the list of food groups that you can eat with braces:

1: Soft fruits

Grapes, bananas, melons, and other items that are consistently soft are easy to eat with braces or retainers. Soft foods are easy to chew and are enriched with minerals and vitamins that promote oral health. 

2: Soft cheeses

Different types of cheese are very soft and are easy to eat. They are a good source of calcium that strengthens teeth enamel and tooth structure. 

Patients with braces can eat cottage cheese, feta, ricotta, and other chewable, easy-to-swallow foods. 

3: Soft breads

Some types of soft braids are healthy and fulfilling. They are easy to chew and dont damage teeth or braces. You can make bread such as tortillas, sandwiches, and pitas if you are a braces user. 

4: Pasta

Penne, spaghetti, rigatoni, and many other pasta types are the best food choices with braces. Cook and eat boiled pasta with delicious sauce and toppings. 

5: Cooked vegetables

If you are looking for foods to eat braces, vegetables such as steamed broccoli, green beans, carrots, and boiled and mashed potatoes are healthy choices. Vegetables and fruits contain beta-carotene, potassium, vitamin C, and many other healthy nutrients. 

6: Yogurt

Another healthy option is yogurt and other dairy products if you wear full-time braces. It is high in protein and an enriched source of healthy bacteria, essential for your gut health. Additionally, it helps by reducing inflammation and fighting off bad breath. 

To learn more about how to make healthy choices with braces, contact us today at Palm Valley Orthodontics.

FAQs

What are the main foods you can’t eat with braces?

Some food items are highly restricted with braces, such as popcorn, chewing gum, candies, crunchy chips, hard rolls, pizza crust, and more. 

What can’t you drink with braces?

As long as eating with braces has limited options, there are certain food items, such as drinks, which one must not take in the first week. For instance, dentists do not suggest taking coffee, tea, and fizzy drinks. 

Can I eat McDonald’s with braces?

Eating burgers and snacks from  McDonald’s is not a healthy choice with braces. The meat in the burgers puts a lot of pressure on your braces and teeth, which can trigger sensitivity in your teeth.