Foods You Can Eat With Braces
From hidden braces to clear aligners and fixed appliances, Yorkshire Dental Suite straightens teeth with a number of treatments. Book your consultation today.
Some braces, like traditional metal ‘train-tracks’, require slight diet modifications to prevent causing damage to the wires and brackets. Comparatively, you can eat without restriction with braces such as clear aligners.
What can I eat with clear aligners?
Clear aligners are slightly different to a fixed brace as they may be removed. While you cannot eat while wearing aligners, you are able to take them out prior to meal times, meaning you are able to follow your usual diet. Now, let’s move on to the types of braces where certain foods need to be avoided at all times.
Which orthodontic treatments require brace-friendly foods?
From now on, when we talk about braces, we are referring to the following three treatments. Each of these orthodontic devices are attached to the teeth using wires and brackets that work over time to straighten your smile.
Metal braces: The only type of orthodontic treatment available on the NHS, this device is permanently fixed to the front of the teeth. It is very noticeable thanks to its shiny metallic design.
Ceramic braces: Similar to its metal counterpart, ceramic braces are attached onto the front-facing side of the teeth. This type of brace uses frosted wires and tooth-coloured brackets, giving it a more discreet appearance.
Lingual braces: Nicknamed ‘hidden braces’, lingual braces are completely invisible to the eye, as they attached to the tongue-side of the teeth. This discreet teeth straightening method is very popular amongst adults.
Foods you can eat with braces
The good news? You are still able to enjoy most of your favourite foods while wearing your braces. Soft, nutritious foods are ideal - they require minimal chewing (which is great if you’re experiencing some sensitivity) and won’t damage your braces. Here are some great options to consider:
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Fish
- Minced beef
- Eggs
- Rice
- Pasta
- Bananas
- Spinach
- Kale
- Grapes
- Beans
- Soft breads
- Soups and broths
- Noodles
- Yoghurt
- Pancakes
- Tortilla wraps
- Smoothies
- Apples (don’t bite into the apple directly, chop it into smaller pieces first)
Foods you can’t eat with braces
Braces are built to be durable. However, there are certain foods that may become stuck in the wires and brackets, or are so hard and sticky that they can cause your brace to snap. To minimise these risks, we recommend avoiding the following foods:
- Toffee
- Caramel
- Hard boiled sweets
- Nuts
- Popcorn
- Chewing gum
- Ice
- Corn on the cob
- Hard, raw vegetables, like carrots
- Meat on the bone, like chicken wings or spare ribs
Please remember that, if you have any concerns about making changes to your diet, consult your doctor. They will help make sure that you are still getting the nutrients you need for your body.
Cooking for braces
Knowing what to cook when yourself or your child has braces can be frustrating. We have listed some meal ideas below to give you inspiration and show that braces don’t require any dramatic changes.
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner |
Avocado and kale smoothie bowl | A jacket potato topped with baked beans and grated cheese | Brothy noodles served with vegetable dumplings and a boiled egg |
Scrambled eggs on a buttered muffin or crumpet | Chicken or turkey sandwich | Salmon, rice and your choice of vegetables |
Banana oat pancakes served with yoghurt and fresh berries | Halloumi wraps accompanied by your salad of choice | Sausage, mash, gravy and your choice of vegetables |
Conclusion:
Braces are a great way to correct misaligned teeth and bites. If you are unsure how to start your teeth straightening journey, the expert orthodontists at Yorkshire Dental Suite are here to help. Book your consultation today.