As an orthodontic patient or parent of a patient, it’s common to have questions about what to eat during treatment. While undergoing orthodontic treatment with traditional braces, adopting a healthy diet and avoiding certain foods can help reduce the risk of damage to your braces, protect your teeth and gums, lower oral health risks, and optimize treatment outcomes.
In this helpful guide, we’ll shine a spotlight on nutrition, offering orthodontic diet recommendations and highlighting the advantages of eating well during treatment. Whether you’ve already got braces, you’re preparing for treatment, or you’re a parent looking for braces nutrition tips, this article has all the information you need.
Foods to Avoid with Braces
Certain foods should be avoided during orthodontic treatment to lower the risk of breaking your braces.
Examples of foods to avoid with braces include:
- Hard foods, such as boiled candy, pizza crusts, nuts, raw vegetables, popcorn, crusty bread, corn on the cob, pretzels, apples, and hard chips.
- Sticky foods, including candy, chewing gum, and toffee.
- Chewy foods, such as chewy cuts of meat, candy bars, dried fruit, beef jerky, and cereal bars
The primary reason to avoid these foods is that they can get trapped in and cause damage to brackets and wires. In general, and especially when undergoing orthodontic treatment, it’s wise to limit your intake of sugary foods to protect your teeth and improve overall oral health.
Foods That Are Braces-Friendly
Although it’s a good idea to avoid some foods during treatment, you don’t have to overhaul your diet. Luckily, there are plenty of braces-friendly food options. Here are some great examples of foods to add to your diet during orthodontic treatment:
Cooked Vegetables
Vegetables are packed with vitamins and minerals, providing a nutritional boost to any meal. If you have braces, it’s best to cook veggies rather than eat them raw. Raw carrots, for example, are tough and can get stuck in the wires and brackets. Steamed, boiled, or mashed vegetables are easy to chew, as they don’t get stuck in your teeth, and they make a healthy snack or side dish. Examples of brace-friendly veggies include:
- Eggplant
- Potato (mashed, creamed, or boiled)
- Wilted greens
- Carrot and swede mash or puree
- Cauliflower
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Peas
- Zucchini
If you’ve just had your braces fitted or adjusted and they feel a bit sensitive, you can also blend veggies in smoothies or make homemade pasta sauces or soups.
Pasta
Pasta is a staple of many of our diets. A versatile option for lunch or dinner, it’s quick and simple to make a healthy, hearty bowl of pasta. Pasta is an excellent choice for people with braces, as it’s soft and easy to manage.
Eggs
Eggs are one of the most versatile foods available. Scrambled, boiled, and fried eggs, as well as omelets and frittatas, are all fantastic options for those with braces. Eggs are soft, they’re rich in protein, and they’re suitable for every meal.
Yogurt
Yogurt is an ideal first food once you’ve had your braces fitted, but it’s a good option for any stage of treatment. Yogurt requires no chewing, it’s soothing and cool for your teeth and gums, and it’s a brilliant source of calcium. It’s best to stick to natural yogurt and avoid flavored products that have high sugar content.
Smoothies
Smoothies are a simple and convenient way to supercharge your nutrient intake without any risk to your teeth, gums, or braces. The best thing about making smoothies at home is that you can choose the ingredients. Savor a super-healthy veggie smoothie made with spinach, kale, beets, and avocado, or indulge in a tropical fruit smoothie bursting with flavors of pineapple, strawberry, kiwi, watermelon, and lime.
Bananas
Bananas are one of the most accessible fruits for people who wear braces. They’re soft and easy to chew, and they’re a great alternative to candy and other sugary treats if you have a sweet tooth.
Oatmeal
If you need inspiration for a healthy breakfast to enjoy with braces, look no further than oatmeal. Oatmeal is gentle on the braces, but it’s also packed with nutrients. Oatmeal is high in fiber and protein and typically contains B vitamins, magnesium, iron, and zinc. Oatmeal also releases energy slowly, which keeps you fuller for longer, reducing the temptation to snack.
Other Braces-Friendly Foods
- Soft fruits including grapes, melons, ripe pears, mangoes, kiwis, and blueberries.
- Soft cheeses that are easy to chew, like cottage cheese, brie, ricotta, and feta.
- Soft breads and grains, including tortillas, pitas, sandwich bread, rice, quinoa, and couscous.
- Soups and stews, applesauce, beans, and lunch meats.
The Importance of Eating Balanced Meals
Eating healthy, balanced meals is essential both for general health and oral health. Your body relies on the foods you eat to provide fuel and essential nutrients. Following a nutritious diet during treatment can protect your teeth and gums, lowering the risk of oral diseases, such as decay and gum disease. Key points to consider include:
Promoting Strong, Healthy Teeth and Gums
Planning a healthy menu can help you strengthen your teeth and gums as well as enhance your overall health. Nutrients that are particularly beneficial for dental health include:
- Calcium: Calcium is a mineral that forms the foundation of strong teeth, bones, and nails. Calcium is essential at every age. Good sources of calcium include dairy products, leafy green vegetables, and fortified plant-based dairy alternatives, such as soy and tofu.
- Vitamin D: Vitamin D is essential for optimum dental health because it enables the body to absorb calcium efficiently. Sunlight is the best source of vitamin D, but it’s also found in oily fish, some mushrooms, egg yolks, and fortified cereals.
- Vitamin C: Vitamin C is crucial for healthy gums. Fruits and vegetables, including berries, peppers, oranges, lemons, and tomatoes, are rich in vitamin C.
- Phosphorus is vital for healthy teeth because it works in conjunction with calcium to strengthen and preserve the protective enamel surface. Sources of phosphorus include meat, fish, eggs, nuts, seeds, and lentils.
Reducing the Risk of Oral Health Conditions
In addition to promoting healthy teeth and gums, a balanced, nutritious diet can also help reduce the risk of oral health conditions, such as decay and gum disease.
How to Protect Braces During Mealtimes
Choosing the right foods and knowing what to avoid can make mealtimes easier when you have braces, but it’s also helpful to follow simple steps to protect your braces. Here are some top tips:
- Cut your food into smaller pieces: Cutting food into small pieces makes it easier to bite and chew, reducing the risk of damage to your braces and food getting trapped in the brackets or wires. Apples are an excellent example of foods that can be enjoyed safely when cut into small pieces. Biting into a raw apple can damage your braces. Chopping apples and eating them in bite-size pieces is much safer.
- Rinse your mouth after meals: Eating with braces is more challenging than eating without them because food can get stuck in your braces and your teeth. Rinsing your mouth after eating is a simple and effective way to clean your mouth, shift debris from your teeth, and keep your braces clean. Regular rinsing can help to lower the risk of decay and gum disease. You may also want to brush your teeth more frequently when you have braces, such as after lunch, as well as in the mornings and evenings.
- Preventing discomfort: Sticking to soft foods that are easy to chew can help to prevent discomfort, but you might also find tools, such as orthodontic wax, helpful. Your orthodontist will be able to recommend solutions to ensure you enjoy mealtimes with braces.
Local Relevance: Need Advice About Eating with Braces in Maryland?
Orthodontic Associates specializes in advanced orthodontic services, offering first-class care for all ages across 13 locations in Maryland. If you have any questions about braces and nutrition, or you’d like advice about which foods to eat with braces and what to avoid, our friendly, experienced team is here to help. Contact us at any time to get expert advice about food choices and overall care during your treatment.
Contact Orthodontic Associates Now for Personalized Advice in Maryland
If you’re seeking nutrition advice or have concerns about food during treatment, please don’t hesitate to contact us and schedule an appointment. Click here to contact us now.
