There’s so many exciting things about starting orthodontic treatment. There may also be a few changes you may have to make, but they will all pay off in the end when you have a healthy, brilliant smile. One of the most important things to keep in mind is what kinds of foods you are going to be eating. Orthodontic treatment takes time, so it’s important to start long-term eating habits to get the most out of your smile and avoid complications. Here are some food ideas to help you eat the best soft diet while you have braces.

Foods to Avoid with Braces

To avoid damaging your braces and potentially prolonging your treatment, you’ll want to make a few changes to the foods you eat. You’ll need to swap out crunchy and sticky foods for softer alternatives that are easier on your brackets and wires.

Foods to wait until after treatment to enjoy include:

• Nuts
• Raw veggies
• Popcorn
• Gummy candies
• Caramel
• Taffy
• Gum
• Ice

Safe Foods for Braces

Your teeth and gums may be a little tender, especially within your first few weeks of getting braces. It’s important to choose foods that are easy to chew and don’t get caught in your teeth.

Soft foods that aren’t overly chewy or crunchy are your best bet. Some options include:

• mashed potatoes
• yogurt
• soups
• scrambled eggs
• oatmeal
• grains
• seafood
• soft fruits
• soft cheeses
• cooked or soft vegetables
• moist desserts
• pasta

Tasty Food Alternatives to Enjoy with Braces

There are some foods that you may find hard to do without. For example, what’s movie night without a tasty snack like popcorn? You can try replacing the cruncyh, kerneled treat with fruits like blueberries are grapes, which are easy to toss back while enjoying your favorite flick. 

However, if it’s the taste of popcorn you’re after, consider switching to a puffed alternative that melts on the tongue and has no corn kernel (which can lead to loose brackets and broken wires). Two tasty, easy-to-find alternatives are Pirate’s Booty or corn puffs. You still get the great buttery, salty flavor without the worry of getting kernels stuck in your teeth.

Best Soft Diet Recipes

If you’re looking for a few quick and easy recipes to get started, look no further. Soft pastas like this scrumptious Butternut Squash Chickpea Mac and Cheese is a gluten-free, high-protein meal that’s quick and easy. 

While eating really cold foods immediately after getting braces can lead to some extra sensitivity, a tasty sugar-free cool treat to ease gum swelling is this Banana “Nice-Cream”. While ice cream is a soft and easy treat to enjoy, it’s important to keep in mind your sugar intake to avoid gum disease while wearing braces. This ice cream alternative has far less sugar than most ice cream you’ll find in the grocery store. 

While you’ll want to avoid crunchy foods like raw veggies, consider incorporating them in an easy and delicious smoothie.

Having braces can be a fun experience that leaves you with a gorgeous smile at the end. While there may be some adjustments you’ll have to make to your diet, the Bruno Orthodontics team will be happy to help you figure out tasty and nutritious foods that are safe for your braces. Who knows, you may even discover some new favorite foods in the process!