Eating With Braces: Dos & Don'ts

Congratulations! You’ve gotten your braces, and you’re setting off on the journey to getting a smile you’ll LOVE! It may seem strange to have braces in your mouth the first few days, but you’ll get used to the feel of them quickly, and you’ll love the end result! You probably have a lot of questions, and if you’re like most of our patients, the biggest question is, “what can I eat with braces?” You might even be getting told what not to eat with braces, by your friends and loved ones. Well, how do you know the truth about it all? For that, we have the answers!

What to Eat the First Week With Braces

The first week with your new braces is always the toughest. You can expect to have some discomfort as the braces get to work moving your teeth. At Sacks Orthodontics, we recommend you stick to soft foods during your first week with braces. Check out the infographic above for a comprehensive list of all the best foods you can eat with braces. The good news is: It includes some New Jersey family favorites like mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, soft-cooked vegetables, ice cream, and other yummy treats. As the first week progresses, the discomfort should pass, and you should be able to move on to the more solid stuff. 
Thinking about braces in Livingston, NJ? Start a free Virtual Consult to get a smile you’ll love. While Sacks Orthodontics is located in Livingston, NJ, we serve families from Essex, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Somerset, Union, and the surrounding areas.

What Can I Eat With Braces?

You’re ready to resume eating normally with that first week behind you! It is good to know what to avoid eating with braces — things like hard, sticky, and crunchy foods. But remember that it’s only temporary! You still get to enjoy some of your delicious favorites, from soft tacos to chicken to cooked vegetables to cake. Yes, cake! You’ll be surprised at what you can eat. 

While there are some items you want to steer clear of, you can eat most of your favorites with a little preparation. For example, gnawing on raw carrots is a “no go.” The hard, crunchy veggies can loosen brackets, which will need to be adjusted in our office. But it’s perfectly fine to chop them small or cook them to tender yumminess (pro tip: in a skillet with a little butter and honey or molasses!). Corn on the cob can cause similar issues, so just cut it off the cob, and you’re good to go! You don’t want to front-bite into hard fruits like apples, but small apple slices are OK. Better still, mash them for your own homemade applesauce! The possibilities are endless!