Tips for Eating with Braces

Eating with braces can sometimes be annoying, especially during those big holiday feasts that require a lot of mouth action. When you get braces, you may start to notice your teeth don’t touch the way they use to, which can change the way you chew. Throughout your treatment, your teeth may shift and you will need to adapt to biting and chewing in a slightly different way but don’t worry, eating won’t be a challenge for long. In most cases, people find their rhythm, and chew comfortably and properly, within 2-3 weeks of their braces being put on!

Here on some tips to make eating with braces an easier transition:

1. Take your time. Chew slowly and cut your food into smaller pieces than usual.
2. Soft foods are your best friends. Eventually, steak will be your go-to again, but for the first couple weeks, it may be best to focus on eating softer foods.   
3. Try your best to avoid stringy foods. I know fettuccine alfredo and spaghetti are your faves, so try to cut the noodles into smaller pieces or you may end up with noodles wrapped around your brackets; which means more cleaning for you. Don’t forget about those foods that get stringy when they melt, like delicious mozzarella cheese (I know that one will be hard to stay away from, so just be ready to clean those braces).
4. You might want to take a break from nuts and seeds, they can get stuck in your braces and drive you crazy. But don’t worry, there is always a solution: brush brush brush.
5. Try to bite/chew with the side of your mouth. It may seem hard at first, but you’ll get use to it and your teeth will thank you!
6. Always treat yourself to something cold. Ice cream, popsicles, slushes, etc., are your best friends too!
7. Keep your flossing brush with you, wherever you go. You never know when it will come in handy!
8. Don’t worry; you can always enjoy all your favourites, you’ll just want to take your time and be a little more caution than normal.

Remember that it will all be worth it; after those braces come off and you have your dream smile!

Here are some foods you and your braces will love:

• applesauce
• macaroni and cheese
• pancakes
• soft bread
• mashed bananas
• cooked veggies
• hummus
• canned or cooked fruit
• scrambled eggs
• oatmeal
• soup with soft vegetables or pureed or cream soups
• soft cheeses, including cottage cheese
• smoothies and milkshakes
• pudding
• meatloaf
• tofu
• ripe fruits, such as peaches and nectarines, cut into bite-size pieces
• couscous, quinoa, soft-cooked rice
• pasta and noodles (cut up into smaller pieces)
• baked apples
• peanut butter
• chicken or tuna salad
• refried beans
• mashed potatoes
• sorbet and frozen yogurt
• tortillas (soften by microwaving or steaming)
• yogurt
• soft-cooked, shredded chicken and meat
• protein shakes

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If you ever have any questions about the best or worst foods to eat, or you want some more tips, don’t hesitate to call York Orthodontics; Dr. Nima Mir and his team are here to help you!