Getting braces is exciting but also a little uncomfortable in the beginning. The first week often brings braces discomfort, braces sensitivity, and mild soreness as your teeth start adjusting to new orthodontic pressure. What you eat during this time can make a big difference in how quickly your mouth adapts. The right foods help ease pain, protect brackets, and support healthy tooth movement while keeping your energy up.
What to Eat with Braces the First Week? Short Answer
During the first week with braces, eat soft, easy-to-chew foods like oatmeal, mashed potatoes, yogurt, and soups.
Avoid hard or sticky items that can damage brackets or wires.
Choose nutritious braces-friendly meals to ease braces discomfort and support healing.
Why the First Week with Braces Feels Challenging
The first week of orthodontic treatment usually triggers tenderness in the periodontal ligament—the tiny tissue that connects each tooth to the bone. As your braces apply consistent force, this ligament stretches slightly, creating mild soreness when you chew. Choosing gentle foods for braces pain reduces pressure on your teeth and gums, helping them adjust without extra irritation.
During this phase, your oral microbiome also shifts slightly due to changes in brushing and food texture. Soft, nutrient-dense foods protect your enamel, stabilize pH balance and oral health, and prevent irritation. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, sticking to a soft diet for braces during the first few days minimizes friction and supports faster recovery.
What Can You Eat with Braces the First Week
When thinking about what can you eat with braces, focus on smooth, creamy, or well-cooked textures. Foods like oatmeal, soups, and mashed vegetables are ideal for a braces diet plan. They protect the wires, brackets, and your healing gums. For inspiration, here’s a first week braces food list divided by meals.
Best Breakfast Options
A warm bowl of creamy oatmeal topped with mashed banana makes a comforting start to your day. If you like dairy, try yogurt or soft scrambled eggs for protein. Smoothies with milk, berries, and honey are excellent braces-friendly breakfast ideas that soothe soreness.
Lunch and Dinner Ideas
Steamed rice with soft vegetables, creamy mashed potatoes, and tender pasta dishes make soft dinners for braces. Soft fish like salmon or flaky cod provides healthy fats that ease braces discomfort and promote tissue healing. Pairing them with soup or broth reduces chewing strain.
Snacks and Desserts
For snacks, go with smoothies, applesauce, or pudding cups. Braces-friendly snacks like hummus, cottage cheese, or ice cream without nuts help satisfy cravings. Avoid sticky treats that cling to your braces.
50 Foods to Eat with Braces the First Week
Breakfast
- Oatmeal
- Scrambled eggs
- Yogurt
- Pancakes
- Mashed banana
- Smoothie bowls
- Cream of wheat
- Soft muffins
- Cottage cheese
- Rice pudding
Lunch
- Macaroni and cheese
- Mashed potatoes
- Vegetable soup
- Soft rice
- Steamed spinach
- Baked salmon
- Lentil soup
- Creamy pasta
- Tofu stir-fry
- Shepherd’s pie
Dinner
- Soft chicken stew
- Creamy risotto
- Mashed sweet potatoes
- Vegetable curry
- Lasagna
- Baked fish
- Soft rice noodles
- Cheese ravioli
- Chicken noodle soup
- Lentil dal
Snacks
- Applesauce
- Yogurt cups
- Hummus
- Soft cheese sticks
- Ice cream
- Banana mash
- Pudding
- Smoothies
- Avocado mash
- Soft granola with milk
Desserts
- Jelly
- Custard
- Mousse
- Milkshake
- Banana pudding
- Cheesecake (no crust)
- Tiramisu (soft layer)
- Fruit puree
- Soft brownies
- Soufflé
These nutritious braces foods are rich in vitamins and easy to chew. They also keep your energy steady during the adjustment period.
50 Foods to Avoid with Braces
Hard & Crunchy
- Popcorn
- Nuts
- Chips
- Pretzels
- Ice
- Hard candy
- Raw carrots
- Corn on the cob
- Apple slices
- Toasted bread
- Granola bars
Sticky & Chewy
- Caramel
- Gummy bears
- Chewing gum
- Toffee
- Licorice
- Sticky rice
- Dried fruits
- Taffy
- Marshmallows
- Fruit roll-ups
Tough Meats
- Steak
- Jerky
- Chewy chicken
- Hard sausages
- Crusted fish
- BBQ ribs
- Pork chops
- Kebabs
- Lamb chops
- Turkey drumsticks
Crusty Breads
- Bagels
- Pizza crust
- Baguette
- Hard rolls
- Ciabatta
- Focaccia
- Sourdough crust
- Breadsticks
- Panini
- Toast
Acidic & Sugary
- Citrus candies
- Soda
- Lemon drops
- Sports drinks
- Sugar-coated cereal
- Energy drinks
- Fruit punch
- Bubble tea pearls
- Vinegar pickles
- Sugary coffee drinks
Avoiding these protects brackets from breaking and prevents oral bacteria and sugar buildup that can harm enamel. If you crave crunchy textures, try soft-cooked alternatives like steamed apples or mashed carrots instead.
10 Tips for Eating Comfortably with Braces
- Chew slowly and take small bites to prevent pressure on your braces.
- Cut hard foods into tiny pieces before eating.
- Stick to soft foods for braces during the first few days.
- Avoid sticky, crunchy, or chewy snacks that can damage wires.
- Rinse with warm salt water to relieve braces discomfort after meals.
- Use orthodontic wax if your braces rub against your cheeks.
- Drink plenty of water to keep your oral microbiome healthy.
- Brush and floss carefully to maintain good oral hygiene with braces.
- Follow your orthodontist’s recommendations for safe eating.
- Choose nutritious braces foods to support healing and reduce soreness.
Healthy Eating with Braces: Expert Orthodontic Diet Tips
Your meals during the first week should support healing and dental protection. Choose soft proteins like eggs or tofu for tissue repair and maintain hydration for gum comfort. Balanced healthy eating with braces keeps your oral microbiome stable and strengthens enamel.
Follow proper braces care tips like brushing after every meal and using interdental brushes to clean around brackets. Learn more about brushing techniques in our detailed guide How to Brush Teeth with Braces.
Maintaining Oral Hygiene During the First Week
Soft foods can stick between brackets, so rinse your mouth frequently. Use fluoride toothpaste and floss gently to remove debris. Regular brushing prevents plaque that can cause tooth decay prevention issues or gum irritation. Maintaining a solid dental care routine ensures faster progress in your orthodontic treatment.
Avoid sugar-heavy drinks like soda or energy beverages. Read more about why in our post Can You Drink Soda with Braces?.
Transitioning After the First Week
Once your mouth feels better, slowly reintroduce firmer foods like rice, eggs, and pasta. Don’t rush; your teeth are still adjusting. Every post-braces adjustment meal should be soft and easy to chew. If soreness returns, switch back to soft diet for braces meals for a day or two.
Learn more about easing soreness in How Long Does the Soreness of Braces Last?.
FAQs
What fast food can I eat with braces the first week?
You can enjoy soft fast foods like mashed potatoes from KFC, mac and cheese, soft sandwiches, or smoothies from McDonald’s. Avoid crunchy burgers, hard pizza crusts, and fried chicken with bones. Choose gentle, braces-friendly meals that don’t require heavy chewing.
Can I eat fries with braces on the first day?
Yes, but only if they’re soft and not too crispy. Go for warm, lightly salted fries instead of crunchy ones. Avoid dipping them in sticky sauces. During the first day, your mouth is sore from orthodontic adjustments, so eat small, soft bites slowly.
How long until I can eat normal food with braces?
Most people can return to semi-normal eating after about 2–3 weeks. Once your braces discomfort reduces and teeth feel stable, you can eat slightly firmer foods. However, avoid hard or sticky foods for the entire treatment period to prevent bracket damage.
Are bananas soft enough for braces?
Absolutely! Bananas are one of the best soft foods for braces. They’re gentle on sore teeth, packed with vitamins, and easy to chew. You can eat them mashed, sliced, or blended into smoothies, especially during the first week when your periodontal ligament is sensitive.
Final Thoughts
Your first week with braces is a small step toward a big smile. Choose comfort over crunch, patience over pain, and gentle braces-friendly meals that heal rather than harm. By sticking to the right braces food chart, maintaining hygiene, and following your orthodontist recommendations, your journey will be smoother and faster.
For more orthodontic diet tips and detailed guides, explore related posts like Soft Food Diet for Braces and Foods You Cannot Eat with Braces.
References
- American Association of Orthodontists
- Colgate Oral Care
- Healthline Braces Food Guide
- WebMD Orthodontic Nutrition
Hi, I’m Dr. Martin, the founder of BracsBasics.com. With years of experience in orthodontics, I’ve made it my mission to simplify braces care for patients of all ages. Here, you’ll find easy-to-understand advice, practical tips, and reliable resources to make your braces journey smoother, healthier, and stress-free. My goal is to help you smile with confidence every step of the way.