Food Recommendations for the First Week With Braces
Any type of orthodontic treatment will require patient compliance to some degree. Whether it is alternatives to braces for adults like Invisalign or your classic metal braces, your orthodontist will give you a set of rules for you to follow, and for a good reason.
Failure to follow the instructions given can not only result in appliance damage or treatment delays, but it could also affect your oral health. All of which will affect the outcome of the healthy smile you are trying to build.
The best thing you can do to take care of your smile’s health and look is to pay attention and follow the instructions your orthodontist gives you during your braces installation appointment.
Do Braces Hurt?
Yes, sadly, braces do involve some level of pain. Sensitive teeth, sore gums, and overall discomfort and pressure in your mouth’s dental structure are normal and even expected after first getting your braces and after adjustment appointments. Not only that, it’s most likely that you will suffer from small cuts on your soft tissues from the metals on your teeth.
Fortunately, there are solutions for the pain. Aside from just waiting for your braces to feel natural and pain-free, you can buy over-the-counter pain medications. If they aren’t enough to settle the pain, consider contacting your orthodontist. Additionally, they will give you dental wax for you to put on your braces. This will prevent your cheeks and gums from touching the metal brackets.
What’s It Like to Eat With Braces the Day You Get Them?
After the installation process, you will feel pain, soreness, and overall uncomfortable. The same is true when you eat for the first time with braces but a little more intense. Given that you are making your sore parts work, it is normal for it to happen.
According to Healthline, you’ll start learning how to chew differently during this sensitive period. To make the process easier on yourself, it’s important to stick to soft foods and avoid any type of rough-textured meal.
What Not to Eat With Braces the First Week
As mentioned, your teeth and gums will be much more sensitive than usual during the first few days after getting your traditional braces. This will make it very difficult to eat some foods that you would normally consider braces-friendly foods.
The extra foods that you’ll want to add to your diet for braces are spicy foods, any type of citric foods or drinks, very cold foods or drinks like ice cream, and meats or bread that require more chewing than usual. If you feel better after a few days, you can try small portions to see if you are ready to consume these meals.
As a reminder, don’t forget that these foods to avoid are only an addition to your regular diet, where you should avoid hard foods, crunchy foods, sticky foods, chewy foods, and sugary foods and treats as much as possible. That also includes anything you bite into, like apples or corn on the cob.
What to Eat With Braces the First Week
For your first week in braces, remember that meals that are not solid foods are great as long as you stay away from sugar as much as possible. Soft foods like mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, soups, yogurt, soft vegetables, soft fruits, fruits cut into very small pieces, lukewarm water, applesauce, oatmeal, smoothies, and pasta are all great healthy options for both kids and adults.
While some moist desserts like pudding and soft cakes are technically fine for those with a sweet tooth, we do recommend staying away from sugar. Sugar makes you prone to tooth decay, infections, and cavities because it reacts with bacteria and food residues to form acids in your mouth that then stick to your teeth. More consumption will lead to more decay and more issues. If it becomes severe enough, it could lead to an increase in treatment time or even a complete stop of the orthodontic treatment.
Get the Treatment That Fits You Best
If you are considering getting braces or just got them, take comfort in knowing that it isn’t as bad as it seems. While there are physical consequences to braces and eating the wrong foods, you will get the hang of it, and with proper care, you can continue your life without significant discomfort.
Regardless, here at Hawaiian Orthodontics, we are ready for whichever path you choose for your treatment. Schedule your appointment here with the team for treatment. Whether it is how to use Invisalign cleaning crystals, if Invisalign® Adult Kaneohe is good for you, or an orthodontic emergency you have with your braces, we are ready to give you the great dental care you deserve.