How to Eat When You Have Braces

Did you just get braces, or has your child just gotten braces put on? If you've tried eating with them on for the first time you'll know that it HURTS! And did you know you're limited from eating some foods due to the risk of teeth stains? Read on for tips on how to eat with braces.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• soft foods

1. Go back to soft foods. When you first get braces, for the first week or so, all you're going to be able to handle are soft foods. Don't worry, because this phase is temporary. But save yourself some grief and stick to sugar free Jello or gelatin, boiled foods, mashed potatoes, and yogurt. Juices are another way to get nutrients when you first have braces and eating is difficult.

2. Limit your sugars. Soda and candies that contain sugar and artificial colors can stain your teeth. So can coffee, tea, grape juice, blueberries, and raspberries. As a general rule, avoid candy and anything brightly colored that you think may contain artificial colors. And avoid any dark or brightly colored beverages.

3. Avoid chewy candy above all. Gum, taffy, and caramels are not to be eaten with braces. In addition to the risk of staining, they can break or warp your braces.

4. Don't feel that you need to chew your food much differently when you have braces, since they are on the sides of your teeth, not the chewing surface. Obviously you won't be able to do your best impression of a rabbit biting a carrot with its front teeth, but basically you'll be able to chew your food normally once the initial discomfort of having them put on wears off.

5. Repeat step 1, if necessary, after you get your braces tightened. You'll be getting them tightened periodically. This is not as painful as when they are first put on, but if you find you're uncomfortable you might want to have soft foods the first day until you feel better.

6. Remember this is all for a good cause. You'll have a beautiful, straight, white smile once the braces are off if you follow my advice. I did it, and it was all worth it. If you'd like information on how to ease the pain of swollen gums when you have braces, I've included a resource link below. Good luck!

Resources

• Ease swollen gums from braces

[margueritexx]

on 8/2/2009 What about the brushing part? Is the little brush they give you for the sides of your boxes necessary? Thanks for the tips by the way. I will stay away from bright coloured stuff now. My first year with braces was filled with brightly coloured things taunting you to eat them.

[cadence]

on 1/24/2009 Great tips! I did not enjoy having braces.