So Your Kid Just Got Braces: Foods to Eat and Foods to Avoid

This post is in partnership with Forest Hills Orthodontic Associates. There are affilliate links in this post.

Recently my oldest child got braces. We were actually excited because we had been waiting a long time for them and we wanted his teeth straightened. We went in on a Saturday morning and our orthodontist, Dr. Emanuel Mizrahi of Forest Hills Orthodontic Associates in Forest Hills, Queens, NY, put braces on my son’s teeth. It was pretty quick and really didn’t hurt! Dr. Mizrahi explained everything as he was doing it and my son was comfortable during the application. Dr. Mizrahi gave me all the information on how things would change for Ben – foodwise and care-wise. His staff has always been so accommodating to us – we usually have Saturday appointments! After my son got braces, naturally there was discomfort, but having wax and some ibuprofen on hand really helped. With braces, things had to change a little foodwise, but it wasn’t too bad. Remember that your child’s mouth is going to be sore in the beginning and they may not feel like eating that much. It got better for my son pretty quickly, but Dr. Mizrahi had some terrific tips to help him get through what to eat and what foods to avoid with braces. So Your Kid Just Got Braces: Foods to Eat and Foods to Avoid | The Mama Maven Blog

Here’s a list of foods to eat and foods to avoid with braces.

Foods you CAN eat with braces:

Dairy — soft cheese, pudding, milk-based drinks
Breads — soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins without nuts
Grains — pasta, soft cooked rice
Meats/poultry — soft cooked chicken, meatballs, lunch meats
Seafood — tuna, salmon, crab cakes
Vegetables — mashed potatoes, steamed spinach, beans
Fruits — applesauce, bananas, fruit juice
Treats — ice cream without nuts, milkshakes, Jell-O, soft cakes

Soreness Caused from Braces and Appliances

When you first get your braces, you may notice that your teeth and mouth feel a little tender or sore. This is perfectly normal and your mouth will not be sore forever! To relieve the pain, try dissolving one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of lukewarm water. Swish and gargle this solution in your mouth for just a couple of minutes (do not swallow the saltwater).

If the pain is more severe and does not go away after rinsing, you can also try taking a pain reliever. It is also not uncommon for your lips, cheeks, and tongue to become irritated for one to two weeks as they toughen and become used to the braces. Dental wax that you can put over the braces to lessen the tenderness. If you need some wax, contact your orthodontist’s office or pick some up at a drugstore or through Amazon.

Loose Teeth

If your teeth begin feeling a little loose, don’t worry; this is normal! Your braces must first loosen your teeth to move them into the right position. Once your teeth have been repositioned, they will no longer be loose.

Loose Wires and Bands

The wires and bands on your braces may come loose. If this happens, please contact your orthodontist’s office as possible so that they can check and repair your appliance. If any piece of your appliance comes off, be sure to save it and bring it to the office with you.

You can temporarily fix the loose wire by using the back of a spoon or the eraser end of a pencil to carefully and gently push the wire back into place. If the loose wire is causing irritation to your lips or cheeks, put wax or a wet cotton ball over the broken wire to relieve the pain.

Take Care of Your Orthodontic Appliances

Damaged appliances can increase the length of your treatment process, so be sure to take care of all your appliances. Your teeth and jaw can only move into their correct positions if you consistently wear the rubber bands, headgear, retainer, or other appliances prescribed by your doctor.

Playing Sports with Braces

Game, Set, Match — You can still play sports even while undergoing orthodontic treatment! If you do play sports, it’s recommended that you wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth and your appliance. Let your doctor know if you need help finding the right mouthguard for the best protection.

In case of a sports emergency, be sure to immediately check your mouth and appliance for damage. If you notice any loose teeth or appliance damage, please contact your orthodontist’s office right away. You can temporarily relieve the discomfort by applying wax or rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater.

Products to Help

The Best Wax to get from Amazon.

Dental picks for Braces from Amazon

Tips are courtesy of Dr. Emanuel Mizrahi of Forest Hills Orthodontic AssociatesIf you are looking for an Orthodontist in the Queens/Forest Hills/Rego Park/Flushing/Kew Gardens area, we recommend Dr. Mizrahi. We’ve been patients for the past 3 years and will continue to be patients. So Your Kid Just Got Braces: Foods to Eat and Foods to Avoid | The Mama Maven Blog