Foods To Eat After Getting Braces
Foods To Eat After Getting Braces
Getting braces can be a tricky experience. On one hand, you are taking initiative to go see a orthodontist to help straighten out your teeth. However, on the other hand, you are limited in your daily routine. Brushing your teeth becomes slightly harder, flossing becomes a bit more strenuous, and most importantly, you are limited in what you can eat on a daily basis.
At Myers Orthodontics, one of the most common questions that we get from new patients is, "what can I eat after I get my braces?" We wanted to give you a comprehensive list on foods that you can eat, foods to avoid, and foods that can strengthen your teeth.
Soft Foods That You Can Eat
While finding the right foods to eat after getting braces can be difficult, it is typically best practice to avoid foods that can get stuck in the back your braces. Softer foods are generally better for you after you have received braces or have just gotten them tightened. Because of the strain that comes with tightening your braces, you would want to avoid hard, solid foods that can cause irritation to the gums or teeth.
Soft foods for braces include:
- Soft Fruits - Grapefruits, nectarines, kiwi, tangerine
- Vegetables - Steam helps them soften
- Dairy - Yogurt and cheese are good alternatives to tough meat
- Soft Meats - Tender chicken, turkey, meatloaf, lunch meat, seafood
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Desserts - Pudding, applesauce, smoothies, ice cream
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Soft Grains - Cooked pasta, cooked rice
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Soft Breads - Tortillas, biscuits, muffins, pancakes
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Eggs - Another good alternative to tough meats, especially breakfast foods like bacon
Foods That Strengthen Your Teeth
New braces can be an uncomfortable feeling. It can cause your whole eating routine to change due to uncomfortability. Foods are vitally important for oral health. Each food that you put into your mouth affects your dental health. We wanted to give you a list of foods that you can eat to strengthen your teeth after you have received braces.
Foods that can strengthen your teeth include:
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Avocados - Contains a healthy fiber that can be great for oral hygiene
- Spinach - Good source of iron, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C, which will improve your dental health
- Asparagus - Contains a probiotic fiber that is essential for digestion. A healthy gut is key to healthy teeth
- Garlic - Loaded with antibacterial properties which limits the potential of bacterial diseases
- Parsley - Because braces are hard to clean, having a healthy dose of parsley can cure bad breath naturally.
Although not all of these foods are absolutely essential for you to maintain strong, healthy teeth. This list can give you a good starting point on what you can include in your diet to better strengthen your teeth.
Foods To Avoid After Getting Braces
As mentioned earlier, because of the heightened sensitivity that comes with newly acquired braces, there are certain foods that you have to be very careful with consuming:
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Popcorn - Bits and pieces can get stuck behind your teeth
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Nuts - Can break into smaller parts and get stuck in your braces
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Chunky peanut butter - Can stick to your braces and stay there for long periods of time
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Hard or sticky candy - Require too much force to bite through
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Pretzels - Can loosen the wires in your braces
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Ice - Can be very harmful to your teeth when you have braces