During the first week, you should eat soft foods that require little or no chewing. This is because your teeth and gums are still adjusting to the new pressure and hardware. You can eat scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, soft pasta, yogurt, or smoothies. Try to avoid anything crunchy, chewy, or hard to bite. Also, you may experience some soreness at first, but it usually goes away after a few days.
However, eating the wrong foods too soon can slow the process or even damage a bracket or wire. In this article, we explain what you can eat and what to avoid. It also covers how to make those first few days more comfortable.
What Foods Are Easiest to Eat After Getting Braces?
After getting braces, you can eat soft, mashable foods that require little chewing.
- For breakfast, the best options are scrambled eggs, oatmeal, Greek yogurt, and smoothies without ice chunks.
- For lunch and dinner, you can eat mashed potatoes, soft-cooked pasta, macaroni and cheese, warm broth-based soups, and flaky fish. These meals are easy to eat and help reduce pressure on sore teeth.
- You can also eat applesauce, pudding, ripe bananas, avocado, and ice cream. During the first uncomfortable days, the cold temperature may help numb aching teeth and gums.
Which Foods Should You Avoid During the First Week?
- In your first week with braces, you should avoid meals that are hard, crunchy, chewy, or sticky. These textures put the most pressure on sore teeth and give the greatest risk of damaging a bracket or wire.
- Other hard foods to avoid include nuts, popcorn, chips, hard pretzels, and ice.
- Additionally, avoid crunchy meals like whole apples, raw carrots, and crusty bread.
- You can skip chewy and sticky foods, such as chewing gum, caramel, and sticky candy. They can pull on brackets or get stuck in ways that are hard to clean out.
Why Does Eating Feel Different With New Braces?
You might find that eating feels different with new braces because the brackets and wires put gentle, steady pressure on your teeth. During the first few days, you may experience soreness every time you bite down. Your lips, cheeks, and tongue also need time to adjust to the extra hardware in your mouth. This can make chewing uncomfortable even before any pain starts.
According to the American Association of Orthodontists, a healthy, balanced diet helps your body through the biological changes during orthodontic treatment. That is why it is best to slowly add softer foods instead of removing variety completely.
How Can You Make Meals More Comfortable With Braces?
To make meals more comfortable, cut foods into small pieces before eating. This reduces the pressure your front teeth need when biting. The American Association of Orthodontists suggests starting small and going soft shortly after getting your braces or having them tightened. This relieves pressure on tender teeth and lowers the chance of dislodging a bracket. You can also keep your braces safe by eating slowly and chewing slowly rather than biting hard. That gives your mouth time to adjust to each new texture.
Meal |
Easy Options |
Why It Works |
| Breakfast | Scrambled eggs, oatmeal, yogurt, smoothies | Soft texture, little to no chewing needed |
| Lunch/Dinner | Mashed potatoes, soft pasta, soup, flaky fish | Breaks apart easily, gentle on sore teeth |
| Snacks | Applesauce, pudding, ripe bananas, ice cream | Soft or cold, can help numb soreness |
| Avoid entirely | Nuts, popcorn, chips, caramel, tough meats | Hard or sticky textures risk pain or damage |
What Should You Do If Food Gets Stuck in Your Braces?
If food gets stuck in your braces, you should rinse your mouth with warm water first. This helps loosen anything caught around the brackets and wires before you use a toothbrush or floss threader. You can also use a dental floss threader or interdental brush to gently remove anything a toothbrush misses.
With wires in the way, standard floss cannot easily slide between teeth. If food gets stuck around a bracket or wire and won’t come out with gentle rinsing and brushing, don’t try to remove it with sharp objects. For guidance, you should contact your orthodontist.
When Can You Return to Your Normal Diet?
You can usually start your regular diet within about a week. By then, your mouth will have time to become used to the new hardware, and the initial soreness should go away. As long as you have braces, avoid hard candies, ice, popcorn, nuts, and sticky sweets. Even when your mouth feels comfortable, these foods can damage your brackets and wires. After every adjustment visit, you may want to return to soft meals for a day or two. You may experience the same temporary soreness when your braces are tightened.
FAQs
What can I eat on the first day with braces?
On your first day, eat soft foods such as scrambled eggs, yogurt, smoothies, mashed potatoes, and soup. Your teeth may feel sore as they adjust to the new pressure.
Can I eat normally after getting braces?
Most people can get back to normal eating habits within a week. However, you should still avoid hard, sticky, and very chewy foods when wearing braces.
What foods should I avoid with braces?
Avoid hard foods like nuts, popcorn, and ice, as well as crunchy foods like raw carrots and whole apples. Also, avoid chewy or sticky foods like gum and caramel.
Can I eat meat with braces?
Yes, it is usually easier to eat soft meats like shredded, minced, or slow-cooked meat. Tougher pieces, like steak, can be harder to chew, especially in the first week.
Can I eat chips or popcorn with braces?
No, you should not eat chips or popcorn with braces because their hard, crunchy texture and small pieces can damage your brackets and wires.
Bottom Line
During your first week with braces, try to eat soft meals that are easy to chew, such as scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, soft pasta, or smoothies. While your mouth adjusts to the braces, avoid eating anything hard, crunchy, chewy, or sticky. Eat slowly and cut your food into smaller pieces. This might make the first few days more comfortable while also protecting your braces from damage. Most people return to normal eating after a week, but you will need to avoid a few foods for as long as you have braces.
If you want guidance for your specific situation, schedule a consultation with us at SmileCrew Orthodontics today for personalized advice for your smile.
