Foods to Eat Your First Week Wearing Braces

Depending on how you feel, you may want to start the week with smoothies, soups, and mashed potatoes before moving on to spaghetti, pancakes, and fruits. There is really no set period when you should start eating these foods again since they won’t harm your teeth or braces. Everything is up to how comfortable you are.

Throughout your orthodontic treatment, you may still consume a wide variety of “braces-friendly” foods. Yes, there are certain foods that you should also stay away from. But isn’t a happy, healthy smile worth temporarily sacrificing some of your preferences? The majority of patients would agree that it most definitely is.

The First Week Following Installation of Braces

The first few days are the hardest, just as with any other transition in life. Soft meals are preferable for you initially since getting braces means your mouth will likely be sensitive in the days after your first session.

Following the installation of braces and for the duration of therapy, the following meals are recommended:

• Scrambled eggs or oatmeal
• Soups, pasta and seafood
• Steamed veggies
• Baked potatoes 
• Soft cheeses
• Bananas
• Yogurt

Several “safe” foods are okay to consume while receiving treatment, although they may make you more sensitive for the first few days. And that’s only the beginning! We urge you to see this experience as a wonderful opportunity to experiment with new meals. Who knows, you could discover some new dishes that become staples on your menu when your braces are removed.

Nutritious smoothies are also excellent substitutes for those who wear braces. Limit your intake of sugary beverages including soda, juice, and sports drinks. Sugar and saliva combine to form a sticky film that covers the teeth also known as plaque. 

Plaque may be removed by brushing your teeth, but doing so is more difficult while wearing braces, increasing your risk of tooth decay and cavities. The best drink for braces is always going to be water.

How Soon Can You Consume Typical Or Solid Meals After Having Braces?

Each patient reacts to brace pressure differently and requires a different amount of time to acclimate. Some people could adjust to the feeling in a few days while others might need a week. On average, it might take a week to go back to a regular diet that is also “braces friendly.”

Is There Anything More You Can Do To Treat The Discomfort Other Than Eating Soft Foods?

Patients who feel mild discomfort may use an over-the-counter painkiller. You might also try gargling with warm salt water to relieve any pain.

How Should I Take Care Of My Braces In The First Week?

The first week should just be the beginning of proper brace maintenance; it should continue for the duration of the therapy. This includes frequent dental cleanings, brushing and flossing after each meal, and other oral hygiene measures.

Patients who use braces will finally have the smile and confidence they’ve always desired. While there may initially be some pain, it will pass fast. A lifetime of self-assurance is worth a week of mild discomfort!

Call us at 407-876-2991 for a free consultation or click here to request an appointment. We have 2 offices to care for our patients. Our Orlando office is in Lake Nona where we also serve St Cloud residents. We are located at 13250 Narcoossee Rd, Suite #100, Orlando, FL 32832. Our Windermere office, where we also serve Dr. Phillips, Winter Garden, Metro West and Ocoee, is located at 422 Main St, #2, Windermere, FL 34786.