Having braces can be a daunting experience, especially during the first week. It's important to know what foods to eat and which ones to avoid in order to ensure your braces stay in good condition. Fortunately, there are plenty of delicious and nutritious options that are gentle on the mouth and won't damage your braces. Eggs, oatmeal, milkshakes, cold drinks, yogurt, noodles and pasta, soup and mashed potatoes are all great soft food options for the first week with braces.
Fish is a good alternative to meats that are more difficult to chew, while still providing plenty of protein. Cold meats, hummus, refried beans, yogurt or cottage cheese with fruit are other nutritious options. If you find that you have sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures, try more neutral options such as applesauce, yogurt, jelly, pudding, warm soups and mashed potatoes for the first few days. You should limit your consumption of hard, sticky and crunchy foods for as long as you're wearing braces, but after the first week you can re-introduce more moderate foods such as sandwiches into your diet.
It's also important to keep extra pressure on orthodontic appliances during the first week. You won't harm your teeth or braces by eating these foods, so there's really no timeline for incorporating them back into your diet. When you put on braces, your mouth will likely be tender in the days after your first appointment, so you should eat soft foods at first. In addition to the foods you can eat on the first day or the first week after you put on your braces, there are also some foods that you shouldn't eat at all when you have braces and there are others that you can eat with some modifications. If you're still not sure what to eat with braces during the first week, watch this video from Emma Louise.
Your orthodontist has successfully guided many patients through their first week with braces and is there to help you every step of the way. The hardest part of having braces is usually the first or second week when your mouth gets used to feeling them. Although the initial few weeks with new braces will undoubtedly be difficult, there's no need to starve. Some foods that can exacerbate any discomfort you're feeling from new braces include chewy bread (think crispy sourdough or a French baguette), certain meats, jerky meat, fruit peels, apples, carrots, celery and crispy French fries. In addition, it is best to sleep on your back if possible during the first week with braces. This will help reduce any discomfort associated with wearing braces. When planning what to eat during the first week with braces, plan with comfort and ease of preparation in mind.
With a little bit of planning and knowledge about what foods are best for braces wearers during their first week of treatment, you can enjoy a variety of delicious and nutritious meals without compromising your orthodontic treatment.
