Introduction: What Should You Eat With Braces?

Getting braces can be an exciting step toward achieving a perfect smile. However, it can also come with some challenges, especially when it comes to maintaining a braces-friendly diet. Your food choices directly affect the health of your teeth and the effectiveness of your braces treatment. Certain foods can damage your braces, while others make it easier to keep your braces clean and functioning properly.

So, what can you eat with braces? In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the best foods to eat while wearing braces, as well as foods to avoid. Whether you’re newly braced or have been wearing braces for a while, this Aussie-friendly food guide will help you navigate your meals with ease.

Why Is Diet Important When You Have Braces?

A balanced diet is essential for your overall health, but when you have clear braces, it’s even more important. Choosing the right foods can help you avoid complications like broken brackets, sore gums, or damaged wires. Eating braces-friendly foods will also help maintain your oral hygiene, as certain foods are easier to clean from your braces than others.

What Are Braces-Friendly Foods?

While wearing braces, it’s essential to focus on eating soft foods that won’t damage the brackets or wires. Here’s a comprehensive list of braces-friendly foods that are both delicious and easy to eat:

Soft Fruits

• Bananas: Soft and easy to chew, bananas are perfect for braces wearers.

• Melons: Watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew are soft and juicy, making them a great option.

• Berries: Seedless berries like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries are gentle on your braces.

Cooked Vegetables

• Steamed Carrots: Cooked carrots are soft and easy to chew, avoiding any potential damage to your braces.

• Mashed Potatoes: A classic comfort food, mashed potatoes are soft, filling, and braces-friendly.

• Sweet Potatoes: Roasted or mashed sweet potatoes offer a nutritious and soft option for your meals.

• Spinach and Peas: Soft cooked spinach and peas are nutritious, easy to eat, and won’t harm your braces.

Dairy

• Soft Cheeses: Cream cheese, ricotta, and cottage cheese are all braces-friendly options.

• Yoghurt: A smooth texture makes yoghurt an ideal choice for those with braces.

• Milkshakes: A nutritious and delicious way to get your dairy intake, milkshakes can be customised with fruits and protein powder.

Grains

• Oatmeal: A soft, warm, and easy-to-eat breakfast option.

• Rice: Soft, well-cooked rice is gentle on your braces and easy to chew.

• Soft Bread: Opt for soft bread such as sandwich bread or rolls, which won’t damage your braces.

Proteins

• Scrambled Eggs: Soft, fluffy scrambled eggs are easy to chew and a great protein source.

• Tofu: A soft, protein-rich option that pairs well with various dishes.

• Well-Cooked Chicken or Fish: Make sure the meat is tender and well-cooked to avoid any risk of breaking your braces.

Soups & Stews

• Blended Soups: Pureed vegetable or chicken soups are excellent choices. They’re soft and full of nutrients.

• Stews: Choose stews with tender meat that’s easy to chew.

Smoothies

• Fruit and Vegetable Smoothies: Blended drinks are a perfect option for braces wearers, allowing you to get your daily servings of fruits and vegetables without chewing.

Desserts

• Puddings and Custards: Soft and creamy, these desserts are gentle on braces.

• Ice Cream: Stick to plain ice cream or those without hard chunks or mix-ins.

What Foods Should You Avoid with Braces?

While it’s important to focus on what you can eat, it’s equally crucial to know which foods to avoid with braces. These foods can damage your braces or make cleaning your teeth more difficult, leading to plaque build-up and potential oral health issues.

Sticky Foods

• Caramel: Caramel can stick to your braces and be difficult to clean off.

• Taffy: Just like caramel, taffy can get stuck in your braces, causing trouble when cleaning.

• Chewing Gum: Gum can become tangled in your braces and is tough to remove.

Hard Foods

• Nuts: Nuts are hard and can potentially break your brackets or wires.

• Hard Candy: Lollies and hard candies can cause damage to your braces.

• Ice Cubes: Chewing on ice cubes can break or damage your brackets and wires.

Tough Foods

• Raw Carrots: While carrots are nutritious, they can be too hard for braces wearers. Opt for them cooked or mashed instead.

• Corn on the Cob: The hard kernels can cause issues with your braces.

• Steak: Tough cuts of meat can be difficult to chew and may put strain on your braces.

Crunchy Foods

• Popcorn: Popcorn kernels can get stuck in your braces, and unpopped kernels can break the brackets.

• Chips: Chips can break or damage your braces, especially when they are sharp-edged.

• Pretzels: Hard pretzels can pose the same problem as chips, potentially damaging your braces.

Chewy Foods

• Bagels: Bagels are tough to chew and can cause damage to your braces.

• Liquorice: The chewy texture of liquorice can get stuck in your braces.

Sugary Foods

• Sodas: Sugary drinks like sodas can increase plaque build-up, which is more difficult to clean around your braces.

• Excessive Sweets: Sugary snacks can stick to your braces and cause cavities if not cleaned properly.

Braces-Friendly Meal Ideas

Now that we know what to eat and what to avoid, let’s take a look at some braces-friendly meal ideas that will keep you satisfied and help maintain your braces in good condition.

Breakfast Options

• Oatmeal with Honey and Soft Fruit: A warm, nutritious breakfast that’s soft and easy to eat.

• Scrambled Eggs with Avocado: Scrambled eggs are soft and filling, while avocado provides healthy fats.

• Smoothie Bowl: Blend up your favourite fruits with some yoghurt for a delicious and nutritious meal.

Lunch Ideas

• Soft Wrap with Turkey and Cheese: Use soft, whole-wheat wraps, filled with thinly sliced turkey and soft cheese.

• Vegetable Soup with Soft Bread: Opt for a creamy, blended vegetable soup with a side of soft bread for dipping.

Dinner Choices

• Pasta with Soft Tomato Sauce: Cook your pasta well and pair it with a smooth tomato sauce.

• Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Soft Chicken: Mash sweet potatoes for an easy-to-eat, nutritious dish, paired with tender chicken.

Snacks

• Yoghurt with Blended Berries: A healthy, soft snack that’s easy on your braces.

• Mashed Bananas: A simple and healthy snack that requires no chewing.

• Fruit Salad: Choose soft fruits like watermelon and melon for a refreshing snack.

What Are the Benefits of Eating Braces-Friendly Foods?

Eating braces-friendly foods comes with several benefits. Not only do they prevent damage to your braces, but they also make cleaning your teeth and braces much easier. Plus, these foods contribute to better overall oral health by reducing the risk of plaque build-up and cavities.

Improved Comfort

By avoiding hard and chewy foods, you reduce the risk of sore gums and painful braces adjustments. Soft foods are gentler on your teeth and gums, providing a more comfortable eating experience.

Better Oral Hygiene

Foods that are easy to clean from your braces, like soft fruits and cooked vegetables, help prevent plaque and food particles from getting stuck in your braces. This reduces the risk of gum disease and cavities.

How Can Bella Dental Help You Maintain Your Braces?

At Bella Dental, we understand the importance of following a braces-friendly diet to ensure the best results from your orthodontic treatment. Our expert team of orthodontists and dental professionals will guide you through the entire process, ensuring that you stay on track with your braces care and maintenance. Whether you’re newly braced or well into your treatment, Bella Dental offers personalised advice to help you maintain your smile and keep your braces in top condition.

Read More: How Do Braces Work? A Guide for Australians

References:

1. “Braces Care,” Australian Dental Association, 2024.
2. “Orthodontic Treatment Guidelines,” The Australian Society of Orthodontists, 2024.

FAQs:

1. Can I eat nuts with braces?
   No, nuts are hard and can damage your braces. It’s best to avoid them while undergoing orthodontic treatment.
2. What is the best type of bread to eat with braces?
   Soft bread, such as sandwich bread, is ideal. Avoid hard crusty breads like baguettes or bagels that can damage your braces.
3. Are there any fruits I should avoid with braces?
   Avoid hard fruits like apples and pears that may damage your braces. Instead, opt for soft fruits like bananas, melons, and seedless berries.
4. Can I drink soda with braces?
   While you can drink soda, it’s best to avoid sugary beverages that can contribute to plaque build-up. If you do drink soda, make sure to rinse your mouth with water afterward.
5. How often should I brush my teeth while wearing braces?
   You should brush your teeth at least three times a day, especially after meals, to ensure no food particles remain stuck in your braces.
6. Is it okay to eat ice cream with braces?
   Yes, ice cream is fine as long as it doesn’t have hard chunks or toppings that could damage your braces. Stick to soft options like plain vanilla or chocolate