Getting braces is a significant step towards achieving a perfect smile, but the initial days can be challenging due to discomfort and sensitivity. Navigating the world of food with braces requires a shift towards softer options that won't damage the brackets or cause pain. This article provides a comprehensive guide to soft foods for braces, offering recipe ideas, tips for comfortable eating, and answers to frequently asked questions.
Introduction: Embracing the Soft Food Diet
In the first few days after getting braces, it seems like the list of foods to avoid with braces is much longer than the list of approved items. Everyday favorites, like crisp apples and popcorn, or even a simple bagel, are suddenly off-limits. That’s when soft foods for braces become essential, so you can stay satisfied without suffering through soreness.
Understanding the Need for Soft Foods
When braces are first applied, or after tightening appointments, teeth and gums can become sensitive. This sensitivity makes it difficult to chew hard, crunchy, or sticky foods. Consuming soft foods minimizes chewing, reducing pressure on the teeth and allowing the mouth to heal.
What Makes a Food "Soft" and Braces-Friendly?
A soft food is easy to chew and swallow, requiring minimal effort from the teeth and jaw. These foods are gentle on sensitive teeth and won't damage or get stuck in braces. Ideal soft foods have smooth textures, are cooked until tender, and lack hard or sharp pieces.
Soft Food Options for Every Meal
Breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, particularly for children who have braces. We’ve all grown up hearing that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Make these recipes part of your breakfast routine! This will allow you to feed them a diet that will promote their dental health and overall quality of life.
Read also: Nourishing Meals for Esophageal Health
Smoothies: Smoothies are a fast, portable, and customizable choice for hectic mornings. You can use frozen fruit, so you don't have to wait until peaches are in season to enjoy this delicious smoothie. Pour in a little milk to mix things up, and stir in some protein powder or nut butter for extra satisfying energy. Frozen fruits work great for a refreshing, cold treat, and you can sneak in spinach or carrots for added nutrients. Try whipping them up on a hot summer day for a cool and refreshing treat. You need just four ingredients to blend together these super-fast smoothies for breakfast. This banana one is a favorite!
Pancakes: You just can't beat a basic buttermilk pancake for a down-home country breakfast. Paired with sausage and fresh fruit, these pancakes are just like the ones you get at Cracker Barrel. Pancake sandwiches make breakfast an engaging, hands-on experience. Add a drizzle of syrup or fruit compote to add a little sweetness. They’re a real breakfast-in-your-hand portable option that kids will love. Using oats or whole wheat flour gives them a nice fiber boost, making them even healthier. I'm not joking when I say I make pancakes every weekend. I love them in any form and variation.
Oatmeal: This oatmeal tastes like bananas Foster, my favorite dessert. Prepare it with milk for a creamy texture, then top with mashed bananas, yogurt, or soft berries. If you can’t find rum extract, double the vanilla. Warm savory oatmeal or risotto are easy dinners to make and eat that don’t feel like a compromise.
Scrambled Eggs: When I created this dish I was thrilled that my husband enjoyed it so much. He normally prefers omelets for brunch, but devoured his first helping of these eggs, then asked for more. Gordon Ramsay’s technique leads to the tastiest, softest scrambled eggs, making them ideal for sensitive teeth (or just Sunday breakfast).
Tofu Scramble and Rice: Tofu scramble and rice make for a hearty, savory, and plant-based breakfast fix. Serve it alongside rice for a complete meal that kids will enjoy.
Read also: Oral Surgery Diet Tips
Lunch
Soups: Much of the work for this soup can be done in advance, and it keeps all day in the slow cooker. The recipe can easily be doubled if you’re feeding a crowd. Once you’ve tried it, try mixing it up-add sage or savory with the thyme, or replace the thyme with nutmeg. For a vegan version, replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth. I could eat soup for every meal of the day, all year long. I particularly like dill and spinach-they add a brightness to this light and healthy soup. Soups are a nourishing comfort food. Make a pumpkin or leek and potato soup and puree it until it’s liquid. A minestrone or chicken and vegetable soup can be cooked until all the vegetables are very soft and require little chewing. This soup was a hit with a group of German exchange teachers who visited our high school. When I don't use bread bowls, I usually serve it with soft pretzels or crusty bread. And it's also an even bigger treat with slices of cooked bratwurst or kielbasa stirred into it.
Chicken or Tuna Salad Sandwiches: Enjoy these tasty salads piled on soft bread. Chicken or Tuna Salad Sandwiches - Enjoy these tasty salads piled on soft bread.
Macaroni and Cheese: This creamy mac and cheese is so simple it’s almost too easy! Kids really go for the rich cheese flavor, but I’ve never met an adult who didn’t love it just as much. My mac and cheese is simple and has lots of flavor from the cheeses and ground chipotle chile. I use conchiglie pasta because its shape allows more melted cheese to pool inside. Yum!
Soft tortilla shells: Soft tortilla shells (steam or microwave them first)
Dinner
Pasta: I’ve made this creamy noodle side for years. Since kids and adults go for it, I keep the ingredients on hand at all times. Recipes using the tiny pasta risoni don’t need a lot of chewing. Check out this range of risoni recipes.
Read also: Gentle Foods for After Wisdom Teeth Surgery
Salmon: Ginger, garlic powder and green onion blend nicely for this marinated salmon. We've found it tastes even better when marinated in the fridge overnight. We also like to use this versatile mixture when grilling chicken! There's nothing like fresh salmon, and my mom bakes it just right so it nearly melts in your mouth. Plus, the sour cream dill sauce is subtly seasoned with horseradish so that it doesn't overpower the delicate salmon flavor. Pop these protein-packed brown sugar salmon fillets in the oven before whipping up a sweet basting sauce. This tangy entree cooks up in minutes, making it a perfect meal for busy families and unexpected weekend guests.
Mashed Potatoes: My grandsons rave over these creamy potatoes loaded with Parmesan. That’s all the endorsement I need. Sometimes I use golden or red potatoes, with skins on. Cream cheese is the secret ingredient in these comforting spuds. Simply mash, mix and let them warm in the slow cooker.
Well-cooked rice: Well-cooked rice can be eaten as a side dish or main meal.
Couscous: Couscous is very quick to make and easy to eat.
Snacks and Desserts
Yogurt: Yoghurt is a cool, soothing snack or can be part of a meal.
Applesauce: When it's apple-picking time, it's also time for all the delightful treats you can make with them, including applesauce. This is my favorite way to prepare it. It's simple to do and it makes the whole house smell like fall. We had all kinds of apple trees in the yard when I was growing up, so I don't know for sure which ones Mother liked best for applesauce. (Today I use Cortlands.) I do know that her applesauce was very white. The secret, she said, was to keep the apples in salt water while she peeled them so that they wouldn't darken.
Ice Cream and Milkshakes: Cool off with a thick and rich treat that will remind you of a malt shoppe! Nothing can beat this strawberry shake recipe. This creamy, luscious ice cream will remind you of the signature treat served at church ice cream socials. What dessert could be better?
Pudding and Mousse: If you've had your fill of pumpkin pie, this cool and creamy pumpkin mousse is perfect for you. Its light and fluffy texture won't make you feel 'stuffed' after your favorite turkey dinner. This tangy, velvety smooth pudding will brighten any day. For variety, you can exchange tangerines for oranges or lemons.
Gelato: You'll love this smooth and creamy gelato with bright strawberry flavor and just a hint of sea salt and honey. Fresh raspberries or blackberries can be substituted for the strawberries if you prefer. If your berries are tart, add a touch more sugar or honey.
Specific Recipe Ideas
Creamy Peach Smoothie: Whip up this creamy peach smoothie as a refreshing and nutritious snack or a quick chilled breakfast.
Strawberry Gelato: You'll love this smooth and creamy gelato with bright strawberry flavor and just a hint of sea salt and honey.
Rhubarb Sauce: I always end up with lots of rhubarb each summer, but many of the recipes use a lot of sugar. This one lets the fruit sweeten up the rhubarb instead. I refrigerate the sauce overnight to help the flavors blend.
Cornbread Stuffing: I first tried this stuffing a few years ago, and it quickly became our family's favorite. Just flavor a hearty cornbread mix with mushrooms and bacon and taste the spectacular results.
Frozen Greek Yogurt: It's so simple and easy to make your own frozen Greek yogurt. You might even want to get the kids in on the fun.
German Potato Soup: This soup was a hit with a group of German exchange teachers who visited our high school.
Coconut Fruit Smoothie: Use fresh or frozen fruits in this coconutty recipe. It's like a pina colada, but better for you and more versatile.
Carrot Smoothie: My children resist veggies, but they love this carrot smoothie. It packs in lots of good-for-you fruits and veggies-but to my kids, it's just a super delicious breakfast.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Overnight Oats: These overnight oats are simple to make and you’ll wake up to a nutritious, delicious breakfast that’s easy on your teeth.
Cold-Day Chicken Noodle Soup: With this chicken noodle soup, you’ll get lean protein and vegetables. Plus, it doesn’t get much more comforting.
Banana Spinach Protein Smoothie: This green smoothie fits the bill. It has fruit, veggies, protein and calcium, and you won’t taste the spinach!
Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta: Butternut squash makes a healthy, creamy and surprisingly decadent sauce. To make this dish even easier to chew, you can swap out the linguine for a smaller pasta like elbow macaroni.
Foods to Avoid with Braces
Knowing the foods to avoid with braces is crucial for protecting your orthodontic investment and minimizing discomfort. These include:
- Hard Foods: Nuts, hard candies, ice, and crunchy vegetables can damage brackets and wires.
- Sticky Foods: Caramel, chewing gum, and taffy can get stuck in braces and are difficult to remove.
- Chewy Foods: Bagels, licorice, and tough meats require excessive chewing, which can cause soreness.
- Crunchy Foods: Popcorn, chips, and pretzels can break brackets and get lodged between teeth and wires.
Tips for Comfortable Eating with Braces
- Cut Food into Small Pieces: This reduces the amount of chewing required and minimizes pressure on the teeth.
- Cook Vegetables Until Soft: Steaming, boiling, or roasting vegetables until tender makes them easier to eat.
- Choose Soft Bread: Opt for soft sandwich bread, brioche rolls, or dinner rolls instead of crusty or chewy breads.
- Avoid Biting Directly into Hard Foods: Cut apples, carrots, and other hard foods into smaller pieces before eating.
- Use Orthodontic Wax: Applying wax to brackets that rub against the cheeks or lips can provide relief from irritation.
- Rinse with Warm Salt Water: This helps soothe sore gums and reduce inflammation.
- Take Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers: These can help manage pain and discomfort, especially after adjustments.
- Maintain Good Oral Hygiene: Brush and floss regularly to prevent food from getting stuck in braces and causing further irritation.
- Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps keep the mouth clean and reduces soreness.
- Plan Relaxation Time: After your braces are applied or tightened, you may not feel like putting in a mouthguard and playing a game of football.
Addressing Sensitivity from Orthodontic Treatment
When you start treatment, have adjustments or wear new aligners, the discomfort you feel will be mild and it will go away on its own in a few days. However, there are things you can do to help manage sensitivity in the meantime, including:
- Making a salt water rinse (½ teaspoon of salt dissolved into eight ounces of warm water) and swishing it around in your mouth before spitting it out. You can repeat this as often as necessary.
- Taking an over-the-counter pain reliever according to the manufacturer’s or your doctor’s instructions. You can take whatever you’d use for a headache.
- Knowing the foods to avoid with braces and steering clear of them. We’ll give you a list of the foods you can’t eat with braces, which includes anything really hard, chewy or sticky. These types of foods can damage your appliance. Additionally, eating really hard food that requires a ton of chewing won’t feel great on sensitive teeth, so even Invisalign wearers may want to avoid these types of foods when they first start treatment.
- Trying the soft foods for sore teeth listed below. As we mentioned before, sticking with soft foods, as well as cold foods and drinks for the first few days after getting braces or starting Invisalign treatment will be super helpful.
Soft Foods for Braces FAQ
- What foods are easiest to eat right after getting braces? The easiest foods to eat after getting braces are soft, smooth and require light chewing, like mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, yogurt, applesauce and soups. Warm savory oatmeal or risotto are easy dinners to make and eat that don’t feel like a compromise. For the first few days, teeth can be extra sensitive to temperature as well, so skip anything too hot or frozen solid.
- Can I eat soft bread with braces? Soft bread is usually easy to eat with braces as long as it doesn’t have a hard crust or a chewy texture, like bagels and fresh sourdough bread. White sandwich bread, brioche rolls and soft dinner rolls are all good choices. Whole-wheat bread can also be eaten, but avoid heavily seeded ones which can be tough on brackets and get stuck in the wires.
- What desserts are safe to eat with braces? Plenty of desserts are safe to eat with braces, like creamy puddings and fluffy mousse, which need little chewing. Ice cream and milkshakes are also excellent choices as long as you give them a few minutes to warm slightly so they aren’t too cold. You can also try blending Greek yogurt and frozen berries or frozen bananas for a soft-serve-style treat.