WHAT CAN YOU EAT WITH BRACES?
Braces align and straighten your teeth or help with any dental issues like overbites or underbites. Getting braces for the first time can be difficult for some people because the process can be painful. However, your orthodontist will recommend good foods to help relieve the irritation and pain around your gums and teeth when wearing braces.
Getting braces can also be challenging because an individual might have to give up some foods they love because they are sticky or hard and can get caught in or damage the braces. However, this sacrifice is necessary if you want your braces to do the job correctly.
Some ideal foods to eat with braces include:
- Seafood
- Pasta
- Scrambled eggs
- Mashed potatoes
- Grains
- Cooked and soft vegetables
- Soft cheese
WHAT TO AVOID EATING AFTER GETTING BRACES?
Plenty of foods are okay to eat immediately after getting your braces and during the teeth adjustment process. However, there are foods you should avoid during the treatment. Avoid foods such as:
- Thicker cuts of meat
- Spicy foods
- Ice cream
- Citrus foods
- Thick rolls or pieces of bread
CAN YOU DRINK COFFEE WITH BRACES?
Most orthodontists recommend avoiding most hot or super cold drinks immediately after getting your braces, as the teeth are sensitive to temperature in the early stage.
Here are some drink recommendations for right after you get your braces:
- Room-temperature water
- Yogurt
- Green and herbal teas
Many people wearing braces for the first time ask these common questions:
‘Can you drink coffee with braces?’
‘What soda can I drink with braces?’
While these beverages won’t harm the braces, try to consume these drinks in moderation. Drinking coffee when wearing braces can leave noticeable stains after removable, and beverages like soda have too much sugar that can damage your teeth. If you cannot give up soda, consider using a straw and don’t let the liquid settle in your mouth before swallowing.
Other drinks to avoid when wearing braces include:
- Energy drinks
- Juice boxes
- Gatorade
- Sweetened tea
CAN YOU EAT HOT FOOD WITH BRACES?
Hot foods directly after installation can cause pain due to teeth sensitivity, but you can eat warm food in the early stages of wearing braces. Eating hot food with new braces can also cause sores in your gums, but you can manage the pain in the following ways:
USE WAX ON SHARP WIRES
Most people with braces experience pain on their lips, tongue, and cheeks caused by the friction with the metal braces. The best way to deal with this pain is by applying orthodontic wax on the wires and brackets.
The orthodontic wax can help your teeth adjust to new appliances in your mouth. However, don’t ignore broken brackets or loose wires. Instead, visit your orthodontist to fix these issues.
If the wax keeps falling off, ask your orthodontist to apply some small heated gutta-percha on the wires. It cools after 40 seconds and will stick longer than the standard wax.
TAKE MEDICATION
If you are experiencing severe pain, you may consider over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) to relieve the pain.
RINSE WITH SALINE
Mouth sores from eating hot food and friction from braces can make eating anything uncomfortable. The easiest way to reduce the inflammation is by rinsing and swishing with a saline mix as often as necessary during the day, especially in the first few weeks of braces installation.
CAN HOT FOOD HELP WITH BRACES PAIN?
If you get your braces installed during the cold season, the braces tend to tighten up, causing pain. Warmer foods like soup and oatmeal can help loosen the braces and soothe mouth pain. However, as mentioned above, avoid super hot foods when you first get your braces.
HOW TO KEEP MY BRACES CLEAN WHEN I EAT?
GET A SPECIAL TOOTHBRUSH
You will need a special brush called a proxabush to brush in the spaces between the wires and the teeth. Take time to floss your teeth to remove the debris that might get stuck in between the teeth with braces. Additionally, rinse your mouth with mouthwash to kill bacteria and remove plaque that might build up in your mouth when wearing braces.
MAINTAIN ORAL HEALTH WITH BRACES
Maintaining one’s oral health with braces begins with eating and maintaining a healthy diet. Low sugary foods will reduce plaque and stains that might occur when wearing braces.
It’s also important to avoid sticky and colored food & drinks. Some of the foods to stay away from include:
- Whole apples
- Chewing gum
- Popcorn
If you are looking for an orthodontist in Brooklyn, Cedarhurst, or Forest Hills, call Amazing Smiles Orthodontistto see one of our specialists and understand your options!