It’s no secret that braces come with diet restrictions to keep from breaking them. Crunchy, sticky, chewy, and hard textures can break brackets or wires. You can’t chew on things like taffy and caramels while in braces, BUT you can still enjoy plenty of food! Keep reading to see our top picks for foods you can eat in braces. Just don’t forget to brush and floss after!
Ice Cream
Yes, that’s right! Ice cream is creamy and soft, which is perfect for braces. This also includes frozen yogurt and smoothies. Sometimes, you might feel sore and a cold treat like ice cream can help soothe your mouth.
There is a caveat when it comes to toppings. Be careful not to have any hard, sticky add-ons like crushed Heath bars or peanuts. You can have soft fruits, sauces, and whipped cream, though!
Pasta
Who doesn’t love pasta? You can have pretty much any pasta as long as you cook your noodles to be softer. Alfredo, marinara, spicy…. we could go on and on! You can also throw in vegetables and meat if they are soft enough. That’s a proper meal!
Ramen/Soup
College kids know about this one! Ramen –and really any soup– is braces-friendly. Typically, any noodle or topping in soup is soft and tender enough to eat. You can even put a soft-boiled egg in there! Take caution with toppings like seaweed because it can get stuck in your braces. All this ramen talk reminds us of the next food on our list.
Seafood
It’s nice and tender, so it’s unlikely to damage your appliances. Cut it into smaller bites if you want to be extra cautious. Soft seafood like tuna, salmon, cod, and shrimp are safe to eat. Avoid bones and shells, of course. So, if you’re going to have something like crab or mussels, make sure you are eating the soft parts ONLY.
Cakes & Muffins
Moist, soft bakery is great! You can enjoy a slice of cake occasionally, just like everyone else. You can even have pancakes! Be careful not to eat anything with hard toppings or mix-ins like nuts.
The Bottomline
There are still so many foods you can eat. Sometimes it’s just a matter of cooking an ingredient so it’s softer, or not putting in a certain topping. We’ve said this before, and we will say it again: Nothing chewy, sticky, crunchy, or hard. If you adhere to this, you’ll be fine! If you’re ever unsure about whether you can eat a food or not, you can always call your orthodontist’s office. We are always willing to help, and we’d rather you ask if it’s unclear. Also, don’t forget to floss and brush after meals! This is especially important after something sugary like ice cream or cake.