Falling under the category of Orthodontic Treatments, braces represent a significant change and transformative journey towards a beautiful smile. However, adjusting to a new life with braces can be challenging, especially regarding food. Depending on the texture of certain foods, you may have to bid farewell to certain foods.
But don’t worry; having braces doesn’t mean the end of tasty foods. There are only a few exceptions that we’ll cover in this topic. Moreover, you’ve to remember these are temporary. Think of it like a transformative journey, and every person who completes this journey says it’s all worth it.
Types of Braces
Before jumping into the food choice and the impact of braces on eating, we’ll quickly review some available options. You can find all of these at Mint Dental Clinic.
Damon Braces
While not entirely discrete, these braces are cosy and clean. Also, these are self-ligating with a special slide mechanism, meaning they don’t require separate ligatures (elastic bands) and allow for natural shifts of teeth.
Clear Lingual Braces
If you want a discrete look, this is your go-to choice for braces, as these are essentially invisible thanks to them being concealed between your teeth.
Brass Braces
Think of them like the traditional braces; however, they are flatter, smaller, and comfier. This is also the more budget-friendly option.
Aligners
Not everybody needs braces. Some people can achieve beautiful smiles with a little help from aligners. We also offer the following.
Invisalign
This trending orthodontic procedure involves straightening the teeth without using a metal brace, and it is almost invisible.
Clear Aligners
Ideal for mild to moderate dental straightening. These are transparent shells, making them almost undetectable.
Understanding Braces and Their Impact on Eating
Braces work by gradually moving teeth into the desired position. Unsurprisingly, this process can be a little painful. Moreover, it can make consuming certain foods very difficult. Not just that, specific foods can also damage braces itself, posing a huge health risk. So you have to be careful with your food choices.
What Can You Eat With Braces?
The answer depends on when you get your braces. The first few days with new braces can increase sensitivity in your mouth, and you may experience sore teeth. We highly recommend that you opt for liquids and soft foods that you don’t have to chew to ease the pain. To make the process easier, we’ve made a category-wise list of foods you can eat with braces.
Soft Foods
- Yoghurt: It is smooth, easy to eat and digest, and provides you with good nutrition.
- Mashed Potatoes: These are creamy and filling, making them ideal for your meals. Just make sure you remove herbs like rosemary before eating.
- Scrambled Eggs: Just cook them a little on the creamy side, and they’ll be easy to chew. A great source of protein for recovery.
- Pasta: Cook it until soft, and you’ll have an easy meal. You can go for fettuccine alfredo or macaroni and cheese.
- Smoothies: These are packed with nutrients, and you don’t even have to chew them. Just make sure you blend the vegetables, especially leafy greens, nicely so they don’t get stuck in your teeth.
- Soup: Warm and soothing soups are an excellent choice, especially if you are feeling under the weather. We recommend either removing or mashing vegetables before consuming them.
Dairy
- Cheese: You can enjoy soft cheeses like burrata, fresh mozzarella, or cottage cheese. Just avoid hard cheeses.
- Milkshakes: These are delicious, refreshing, and filling. Plus, these are easy to make.
- Ice Cream: This is a no-brainer. Ice creams are complimentary after dentist visits. Just avoid the ones with nuts.
Fruits and Vegetables
- Bananas: Soft and easy to chew, bananas are a great snack.
- Avocado: Ripe ones are creamy, nutritious, and gentle on your teeth. You can also make guacamole if you feel like it.
- Steamed/Boiled Vegetables: Cooking vegetables until they’re soft makes them easy to eat.
Proteins
- Fish: Soft and flaky fish like salmon or tilapia are excellent choices.
- Tofu: Extra soft tofu can be consumed as well. Great option if you are a vegan.
Grains
- Oatmeal: Soft and easy to eat, oatmeal is a nutritious breakfast option.
- Rice: Soft-cooked rice is gentle on your braces and teeth.
Foods You Can Eat After a Few Weeks
After the initial period, you may notice that the sensitivity is reduced. At this time, you can approach certain foods with caution.
Tender Meats
- Shredded Chicken: We recommend eating chicken cooked in a slow cooker.
- Ground Beef or Turkey: You can also start consuming them, however, in small bites.
Soft Breads or Rolls
- Pancakes: With adequate syrup, you can indulge in soft pancakes.
- Muffins: Give yourself a treat with muffins. Avoid the ones with nuts or seeds.
Grains
- Quinoa: A well-cooked quinoa can be a great addition to your meals.
- Brown Rice: With a little caution, you can also eat brown rice.
Foods to Avoid with Braces
While it’s good to know what foods you can eat with braces, it is crucial to know what foods to avoid. As a general rule of thumb, avoid hard, chewy, or sticky foods. Here’s a list of foods to avoid with braces:
Hard Foods
- Nuts: These are hard and crunchy, easily breaking parts of the braces.
- Hard Candy: Of course, biting on these is a big no; however, sucking on hard candy can also loosen your braces.
- Potato Chips: The crunchiness of chips and similar snacks can get stuck and cause damage.
- Raw Fruits and Vegetables: Hard fruits and vegetables like apples, carrots, and celery require a significant amount of bite force, which can cause damage and pain.
Sticky Foods
- Chewing Gum: It can get stuck in your braces and is very difficult to clean.
- Caramel: With a stick and chewy consistency, caramel can pull at your braces and cause damage.
- Taffy: Like caramel, taffy can cause significant damage to your braces.
- Popcorn: Stuck kernels cause discomfort even without braces, so just avoid them.
Chewy Foods
- Bagels: Despite being yummy, these are very dense and chewy, making them a bad choice.
- Jerky: These are renowned for being extremely chewy, so avoid jerkies.
5 Tips for Eating with Braces
While the results are totally worth it, braces can bring a set of challenges regarding eating. However, adjusting to them shouldn’t be painful. Here are some tips to make eating with braces more comfortable by our experts:
- Cut Food into Small Pieces: Yes, it is time-consuming, but this reduces the strain on your braces and makes chewing easier.
- Chew Slowly: Make sure you slowly and thoroughly chew your food to avoid damaging your braces.
- Use Orthodontic Wax: If your braces are irritating your cheeks and gums, apply orthodontic wax to protect them.
- Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water will help you keep your mouth clean and wash away any food particles.
- Keep a Brush Handy: Make a habit of carrying a toothbrush with you to ensure your braces remain clean.
Braces Dos and Don’ts
To ensure your teeth transformation journey goes smoothly, follow these braces dos and don’ts:
Dos
- Brush and floss regularly.
- Wear a mouthguard, especially if you play sports.
- Visit your dentist on all scheduled appointments.
Don’ts
- Avoid hard, sticky, and chewy foods.
- Don’t bite your nails or hard objects like pencils.
- Don’t skip your dentist appointments.
For more information regarding the dos and don’ts of braces, click here.
Take the Next Step
If you are looking for the best treatment for your perfect smile, then choose Mint Dental Clinic. Our dental experts provide world-class treatment in Dubai. Book an appointment today to begin your transformative journey and check the cost of braces in Dubai.
