What to Eat with Braces the First Week

During the first week with dental braces, opt for soft foods that require minimal chewing to avoid discomfort and protect your braces. Ideal choices include yogurt, smoothies, soups, oatmeal, scrambled eggs, and mashed potatoes.

Also, soft fruits like bananas or cooked vegetables can be gentle on your mouth.

Avoid hard, sticky, or chewy foods, such as nuts, popcorn, candies, and tough meats, as they can damage the braces or cause pain.

During the first week with braces, opt for soft foods that require minimal chewing to avoid discomfort and protect your braces. Ideal choices include yogurt, smoothies, soups, oatmeal, scrambled eggs, and mashed potatoes. Also, soft fruits like bananas or cooked vegetables can be gentle on your mouth. Avoid hard, sticky, or chewy foods, such as nuts, popcorn, candies, and tough meats, as they can damage the braces or cause pain.

Best Foods to Eat During the First Week of Braces

During the first week of wearing braces, it’s important to choose foods that are easy to chew and gentle on your new braces. Here are some of the best options:

• Smoothies – Nutritious and gentle on the mouth.
• Yogurt – Smooth and cooling, which can help soothe sore gums.
• Soup – Warm and comforting; choose varieties without large chunks.
• Oatmeal – Soft and easy to customize with different flavors.
• Scrambled Eggs – Soft and a good source of protein.
• Mashed Potatoes – Creamy and filling; you can also try sweet potatoes.
• Applesauce – No need to bite into hard apples, and it’s refreshing.
• Pasta – Cooked until soft; avoid tough or chewy varieties like al dente.
• Rice – Easy to eat and very gentle on the mouth.
• Steamed Vegetables – Soft enough to eat comfortably; carrots and broccoli are good choices when steamed well.

These foods will help you adjust to your braces while ensuring you’re still getting necessary nutrients without causing any damage or additional pain to your braces and teeth.

Best Foods to Eat During the First Week of Braces for Breakfast

For the first week of wearing braces, it’s essential to choose breakfast foods that are soft and easy to chew to avoid discomfort. Here are some great breakfast options:

• Oatmeal – Soft, warm, and comforting; you can add honey or soft fruits like bananas for flavor.
• Smoothies – Blend your favorite fruits with yogurt or milk for a nutritious, easy-to-consume meal.
• Scrambled Eggs – Gentle on the mouth and can be combined with cheese or soft vegetables for more flavor.
• Yogurt with Honey – Smooth texture with a soothing effect; add soft fruits or a drizzle of honey.
• Pancakes – Make them extra soft and top with syrup, butter, or soft fruits like berries.
• Cream of Wheat or Rice Pudding – Both are very gentle and warming options for a sore mouth.
• Soft Bread with Butter or Cream Cheese – Ensure the bread is not too crispy to avoid irritation.
• Mashed Avocado – Can be spread on soft bread or eaten alone; rich in nutrients and very gentle.
• Applesauce – A sweet, soft option that’s easy to eat without any need for chewing.

Best Foods to Eat During the First Week of Braces for Lunch

During the first week of braces, choosing lunch foods that are soft and easy to chew will help minimize discomfort. Here are some ideal lunch options:

• Soup – Opt for creamy or broth-based soups with soft ingredients, like tomato soup or chicken noodle with well-cooked vegetables.
• Macaroni and Cheese – Soft, creamy, and comforting, it’s easy on your mouth and filling.
• Soft Sandwiches – Use soft bread and fill with tender ingredients like tuna salad, egg salad, or thinly sliced turkey with avocado.
• Quiche – Egg-based, soft, and can include a variety of gentle vegetables and cheeses.
• Steamed Vegetables – Pair with soft proteins like fish or tofu for a nutritious meal.
• Pasta – Cooked soft with a smooth sauce, such as marinara or Alfredo.
• Rice and Beans – Soft and easy to chew, providing good protein and fiber.
• Mashed Potatoes – Can be flavored with gravy, butter, or cheese for a more satisfying meal.
• Cottage Cheese – Mix with soft fruits or a light salad dressing.
• Smoothie Bowls – Blend fruits with yogurt or milk and top with very soft toppings like banana slices or a drizzle of honey.

Best Foods to Eat During the First Week of Braces for Dinner

For dinner during the first week of braces, it’s best to stick to foods that are soft and easy to eat to avoid irritation and discomfort. Here are some good dinner options:

• Soft Cooked Pasta – Choose pasta with a smooth sauce like tomato or a creamy Alfredo. Avoid adding tough meats or raw vegetables.
• Risotto – Creamy and gentle, risotto can be flavored with cheese, soft vegetables, or seafood.
• Mashed Potatoes – Make them creamy with some butter and milk, and you can add soft-cooked vegetables or cheese for more flavor.
• Polenta – Soft and versatile, serve with a gentle sauce or cheese.
• Fish – Baked or steamed fish is tender and easy to chew.
• Stews and Braises – Long-cooked dishes where the ingredients become very soft, like chicken stew or beef bourguignon with well-cooked vegetables.
• Meatloaf – Ensure it’s moist and not too crusty; serve with a soft side, like squash.
• Pulled Chicken or Pork – Cooked until very tender and can be served with a soft roll or over rice.
• Steamed Vegetables – Gentle to chew; pair them with a soft grain like quinoa or couscous.
• Tofu Stir-fry – Use silken tofu and cook vegetables until they are very soft.

Best Foods to Eat During the First Week of Braces for Snacks

• Yogurt – Smooth and creamy, it’s easy on the mouth and available in various flavors.
• Pudding – Soft and satisfying, perfect for a sweet treat that’s easy to eat.
• Applesauce – Naturally soft and sweet, without the need for chewing.
• Banana – Soft and nutritious, easy to mash up if even softer texture is needed.
• Cottage Cheese – Smooth and can be mixed with soft fruits like peaches or pears.
• Smoothies – Blend your favorite fruits with yogurt or milk; you can also add protein powder or peanut butter for extra nutrition.
• Jell-O – Wobbly and fun to eat, it’s very gentle on your braces and gums.
• Soft Cheese – Like brie or camembert, which are easy to spread on soft crackers or bread.
• Hummus – Creamy and versatile, great with soft pita bread or lightly steamed veggies.
• Ice Cream or Gelato – A cooling treat that’s easy to eat; just be mindful of cold sensitivity.

Foods to Avoid During the First Week of Braces

During the first week of braces, and generally while you have braces, there are several types of foods you should avoid to prevent damage to the braces and minimize discomfort. Here are some key foods to steer clear of:

• Hard Foods – Like nuts, hard candies, and ice cubes, which can break brackets and bend wires.
• Sticky Foods – Such as caramel, chewing gum, and gummy candies, which can get stuck in braces and pull at them.
• Crunchy Foods – Like popcorn, chips, and hard taco shells, which can cause damage to the braces.
• Tough Meats – Such as steak or dry cuts of meat, which require a lot of chewing and can be hard on your braces.
• Raw Vegetables – Hard veggies like carrots, celery, and raw apples should be avoided unless cut into small, bite-size pieces or cooked to a softer texture.
• Corn on the Cob – This should be avoided as it can dislodge the braces; corn can be cut off the cob and eaten gently.
• Hard Bread – Like baguettes or rolls with a tough crust, which can be challenging to bite into.
• Whole Fruits – Such as whole apples and pears; these should be cut into small pieces before eating.
• Pizza Crust – The hard edges can be tough on braces, so it’s best to avoid them.
• Sugary Foods – Excessive sweets like cookies and cakes can increase the risk of cavities, especially when cleaning around braces is more challenging.

It’s best to opt for softer foods and cut larger items into smaller pieces to ensure they’re easier to chew and less likely to cause issues with your braces.

Foods to Avoid Until You Get Your Braces Off

Getting braces is an exciting step towards a beautiful smile, but it also means adjusting your diet for a while.

Certain foods can damage the brackets in the traditional braces, bend wires, or get stubbornly stuck, leading to orthodontic emergencies and slowing down your treatment, so 

Here’s a breakdown of the types of foods you’ll want to take a break from until your braces are removed:

• Hard Candies: Lollipops, jawbreakers, and other hard candies present a double threat. They can easily break brackets or wires, and the sugary residue lingering on your teeth increases the risk of cavities.
• Popcorn: Those pesky unpopped kernels are a nightmare for braces, getting lodged in the smallest spaces and potentially causing damage.
• Chewy Candy: Think gummy bears, caramels, taffy, and the like. Their sticky nature makes them cling to your braces, with the potential to bend wires or pull off brackets entirely.
• Nuts: While softer nuts like peanuts might seem fine at first, their hard texture puts your braces at risk. It’s safest to avoid nuts of all kinds for the duration of your treatment.
• Whole Apples & Raw Carrots: Biting into hard fruits and vegetables can put too much pressure on your braces. Cut them into smaller, manageable pieces instead.
• Corn on the Cob: Similar to apples and carrots, the best way to enjoy corn with braces is to remove the kernels from the cob before eating.
• Pizza Crust: The tough, chewy crust of a pizza slice can easily displace wires and brackets.
• Ice: Crunching on ice cubes might seem harmless, but it’s a common culprit for broken braces.

Remember, this is a temporary adjustment, and you’ll be back to enjoying all your favorite foods in no time! In the meantime, focus on braces-friendly options like yogurt, mashed potatoes, smoothies, soft fruits, and cooked vegetables.

If you do slip up and eat something you shouldn’t, don’t panic. Contact your orthodontist for instructions on how to handle the situation and minimize any damage.

FAQ on What to Eat with Braces the First Week