Tips for Eating With Braces

Did you know that an estimated four million people in the United States of America have dental braces? Eating with braces is tricky when you’re getting used to having them on your teeth. Eating the right foods will make your adaptation to wearing dental braces much easier, but there are other tips for eating with braces that you should follow.

Part of the process of wearing braces is learning what not to eat with braces and finding the things that you can eat with ease. The right foods will also make caring for braces and your teeth a walk in the park.

The good news is that you’ve found the right place for some great tips that will make it easy for you to enjoy the best foods for braces for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Keep reading this article to learn more about what to eat with braces today!

Eat Slower

The first thing that you should try when you’re eating your first meal after getting your dental braces put on is to eat slower than you typically would. Chewing in a slow and careful manner will reduce the amount of food that gets caught in your teeth and braces during the eating process.

It’s also a good idea to cut your food into smaller pieces when you start eating with braces for the first time. This is a much healthier and safer option than scarfing down any food that gets set in front of you.

Eat Soft Foods

Soft foods will become your best friend when you get your braces put on by the orthodontist. Expect to get really close to different foods like mashed potatoes, soups, mac and cheese, and ice cream.

You’ll have no issues returning to some of your favorite foods in the near future, but it’s best to stick to soft foods during the time after your braces get installed on your teeth. Eat soft foods for the first few weeks for the best results when caring for your braces and teeth.

Avoid Stringy Foods

If you’re worried about what not to eat with braces, then you can start eliminating any foods that are stringy in their consistency. Winding your spaghetti noodles around your fork might be fun or an old habit, but you’re better off cutting your noodles into small pieces when you’re eating with braces on.

Stringy foods have an annoying habit of getting wrapped around the brackets that are installed on your teeth by the dentist. Mozzarella cheese is another big culprit that is difficult to deal with when it comes to caring for your braces. Avoid these foods unless you relish a trip to the emergency orthodontist.

Stop Eating Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds are another big no-no when it comes to eating with braces. These foods have an easy time getting stuck in the brackets of your braces, which makes it difficult for you to clean and care for your teeth and gums.

This is especially important if you’re not in a place where you can brush your teeth in the near future. Popcorn is especially dangerous since it can result in broken brackets on your braces. It’s best to avoid these foods until your teeth are ready for your braces to get removed.

Use the Side of Your Mouth

Using the side of your mouth to chew your food is a great strategy if you want to learn how to eat with your braces. It’s painful and difficult to bite into anything with your front teeth after your braces get installed and tightened. During this time, your best bet is to chew any food with your molars rather than your front teeth.

You’ll also have an easier time caring for braces with this eating style. Using your front teeth with certain food items will result in a massive mess that is annoying and difficult to clean up. Make chewing with the sides of your mouth a big emphasis when learning to eat with braces.

Be Careful With Large Food Items

If you’re a sushi lover, then you might need to change the way that you eat your favorite sushi rolls after getting your braces put on. Large food items like sushi are tricky to fit in your mouth in one go, and you run the risk of getting food stuck in the brackets.

Any time that you plan on eating food like a sushi roll or a burrito, it’s best to use a fork and knife to cut the food into smaller portions.

Eat Cold Foods

After getting your braces installed, you should look for some of your favorite foods to eat. Ice creams, frozen yogurts, and popsicles are all great options that your teeth and your braces will love.

The cold temperature is perfect for numbing your teeth after the braces are installed. This temporary respite from the pain and tension of your teeth is only topped by the delicious flavors provided by these cold food options.

Use Dental Products

The dental industry has developed a myriad of products that you can use to make the process of eating your favorite foods much easier without pain or other issues. Dental wax is the perfect solution to keep your brackets from harming your gums or the sides of your mouth while you’re chewing food.

There are also silicon dental solutions that are designed to protect your mouth when you’re eating with braces. Don’t be afraid to also try oral gels that will numb your gums and teeth when you get your braces tightened. 

Now You’re Ready to Start Eating With Braces

Eating with braces is more difficult than many people would like, but that’s the price you’ll need to pay for that perfect smile. It’s a wise move to focus on eating cold and soft foods when you first get your braces on as it makes caring for braces much easier. You should also start chewing with the side of your mouth, and you should consider using dental wax to protect your mouth.

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