Eating with braces

The first few days after braces go on, your teeth will feel tender. That’s normal — it means things are moving. Stick to soft foods and you’ll barely notice by the weekend.

Foods that are fine.

Pasta, eggs, yogurt, soft bread, rice, bananas, fish, smoothies. Cut harder things like apples and carrots into small pieces and chew with your back teeth.

Foods to skip.

• Popcorn and hard pretzels

• Caramel, toffee and gum

• Whole apples and corn on the cob

Rule of thumb: if it’s sticky, crunchy or you have to bite it with your front teeth, cut it up or skip it.

If something pops.

A loose bracket is rarely an emergency. Leave it on the wire, cover anything sharp with orthodontic wax, and text us a photo. We’ll tell you if it can wait until your next visit.