When someone begins to wear braces, there are plenty of questions. The often-asked one is what kind of foods are they allowed to eat. This guide will answer this in detail.
We often have worries about the foods to eat with braces. For one, it’s not always a good idea to eat something that is quite hard like most candies. Gum, despite being a soft food, can be a nightmare for those wearing braces.
Once you have completed this guide, you’ll have a good idea of what to eat. Let’s get right to the fun stuff so you can plan your meals ahead – whether you are at home or on the go.
Soft fruits
Fruits are always a good thing to have in your diet. The real question is: which is best for those wearing braces? The answer is soft fruits.
For example, you can take apples, pears, and bananas and blend them into something more edible. Bananas by themselves are soft enough while apples and pears are much harder. Simply put, it is important to soften up any hard fruits as much as possible.
This way, you won’t risk breaking any brackets or wires of your braces. If you end up eating such fruits and this happens – you may need to see an orthodontist as soon as possible. They will be able to fix your damaged appliances.
They will also remind you that soft foods for braces will be the better option. If you have any concerns about certain foods to eat, you can always visit a virtual orthodontist (including your own if they have that option).
Another thing to be aware of is fruits that have rinds such as apples and oranges. These should not be eaten by themselves as their rinds can get caught in your brackets. So it may be a good idea to peel and blend them.
Soft vegetables
Like fruits, there are different kinds of veggies that are hard and soft. So it would make sense to eat the ones that are soft like steamed carrots, squash, or zucchini. They can be enjoyed without causing too much pressure or discomfort on your teeth and gums.
Any orthodontist that provides braces in Philadelphia knows that veggies are an excellent part of any diet. So it would be a good idea to recommend the best types. Some veggies that are often hard can be softened if they are boiled or steamed.
If needed, they can be cut into smaller pieces if you intend to eat them raw. Smaller pieces can be much gentler on your teeth and gums compared to larger pieces. If you plan on eating corn, it may be a good idea to make sure it’s off the cob and not on it.
Again, if you have any questions or concerns about certain veggies you can or can’t eat, calling your orthodontist near you will be your best option.
Stewed or mashed foods
There are plenty of soups and stews that you can enjoy. Plus, you can also enjoy mashed foods such as potatoes. The good news is many of these foods are nutritious and healthy.
They are mostly soft since they are cooked in a certain way. Even better, they are quite tasty. You can enjoy a hearty stew or soup without having to harm your braces. If that isn’t something that will make you smile a bit wider, we’re not sure what will.
As always, you can try substituting different foods for healthier versions. For example, you can switch out the regular potatoes for sweet potatoes if you feel like it. If you are a fan of veggies, why not make a veggie stew?
Daily products
This may be a good option if you are not lactose intolerant. If you are, don’t worry. You are free to skip this part.
Otherwise, you can enjoy the different dairy products that will be soft on your teeth. This includes but not limited to milk, cheese, and yogurts. These foods are packed with plenty of calcium that will strengthen your teeth.
You can even make smoothies from different fruits, veggies, and dairy products. There are plenty of different recipes out there. And it takes a quick Google search to choose some of the favorites that you want to try.
Another option to go for is cottage cheese. This kind of cheese is soft. It’s also an excellent source for both protein and calcium.
Ice cream is another excellent dairy product. However, depending on the ice cream, there may be some hard pieces of chocolate or frozen fruits. If they are small enough, you can still eat them.
But be careful, you may eat something large enough that may harm your braces. If needed, try and break it up into smaller pieces.
Soft grains
Finally, we will take a look at soft grains. These include instant oatmeal, Cream of Wheat, and grits among others. You will need to make sure it’s fully cooked.
Uncooked grains can get caught in the brackets of your braces. This also includes hard edges that need to be avoided. If you can soften these grains, you can be able to eat them without hurting your braces at all.
Be sure to follow the instructions before cooking soft grains. If some of it appears uncooked, warm them up slightly more until the grains themselves are fully cooked.
Eat without issue with braces
There are so many soft foods that you can enjoy while wearing braces. It’s important you find out which ones are good to eat while ditching the ones that aren’t. Foods that are too hard should be avoided.
If possible, you can soften them up by boiling or steaming them (whichever is applicable). As always, any questions about what you can eat or drink can be directed to your orthodontist. They will often provide you with recommendations of what to eat the day your braces treatment begins – so hopefully you keep it as a handy guide.
