Getting braces is a significant step toward a healthier smile, but it requires temporary changes to daily routines, especially eating habits. The introduction of brackets and wires creates immediate friction and tenderness, which is a normal response to the gentle pressure applied to the teeth. Adjusting your diet is necessary to protect the orthodontic appliance, minimize discomfort, and ensure the treatment progresses without complication.
The Immediate Aftermath
You can eat immediately after braces are placed, but a short delay is beneficial. The dental adhesive used to bond the brackets cures quickly, but it takes up to 24 hours to achieve maximum strength. Waiting an hour or two allows the initial bond to strengthen before being stressed by chewing.
If a local anesthetic was used during the procedure, wait until the numbness has completely worn off. Chewing while the mouth is partially numb can lead to accidentally biting the cheek or tongue. Avoiding mechanical stress on the new hardware during the first few hours helps ensure a smooth start to treatment.
Diet for the First Few Days
The first three to seven days after placement or a major adjustment are when the teeth and gums are most sensitive due to the archwire pressure. This sensitivity makes chewing anything firm nearly impossible, resulting in a dull, constant soreness. During this period, the diet must consist exclusively of soft or liquid foods.
Safe food choices require little to no chewing and provide necessary nutrition:
- Mashed potatoes
- Creamy soups
- Applesauce
- Yogurt
- Scrambled eggs
- Oatmeal
- Soft pasta or noodles cooked well past al dente
This temporary soft diet allows the initial soreness to subside before gradually reintroducing more varied textures.
Long-Term Food Restrictions
Certain foods must be avoided for the entire duration of orthodontic treatment, as they pose a direct risk of damaging the brackets and wires. Damaging hardware can slow the treatment timeline and require unscheduled repair appointments. These restrictions are categorized by the type of mechanical stress they place on the appliance.
Hard Foods
Hard foods, such as nuts, popcorn kernels, ice, and hard candies, apply concentrated force. This force can fracture the bracket’s adhesive bond or bend the archwire.
Sticky Foods
Sticky foods like taffy, caramel, and chewing gum are problematic. They can pull the brackets directly off the tooth surface or bend the delicate wires when removed.
Crunchy and Chewy Items
Crunchy and chewy items like thick pizza crusts, bagels, and crusty bread can also lead to hardware failure. This occurs through repeated, high-force chewing.
Eating Techniques and Pain Management
Changing the way you eat is important to ensure comfort and protect the braces.
Eating Techniques
Instead of biting into items with the front teeth, all food should be cut into small, bite-sized pieces before being placed in the mouth. This technique minimizes stress on the front brackets, which are often the most vulnerable to damage. Chewing should be performed slowly and carefully, primarily using the back teeth, or molars, which are better equipped to handle the grinding motion.
Pain Management
For managing initial discomfort, over-the-counter pain relievers can be taken about an hour before a meal to preemptively dull the soreness. Additionally, applying orthodontic wax to any brackets or wires that are irritating the cheeks or lips can reduce friction and make eating more tolerable.