If you’re getting braces, one of the first questions patients ask their orthodontist is :
“What can you eat with braces in the first week?”
The first week of wearing braces is a period of adjustment for your teeth, gums, and jaw.
Choosing the right soft foods and braces-friendly snacks can significantly reduce discomfort, protect your dental braces, and help your mouth adapt more smoothly, whether you have metal braces, ceramic braces, or lingual braces.
This guide explains what to eat with braces, what to not eat, and how to eat comfortably during your first week with teeth braces.
What to Expect the First Week With Braces
The first 3-7 days after getting braces is when your teeth begin responding to gentle orthodontic pressure. During this time, it’s normal to experience :
- Tender or sore teeth
- Gum sensitivity
- Mild jaw discomfort
- Rubbing from brackets or wires
- Irritation on the lips or cheeks
This is true for all types of dental braces, including ceramic braces and braces placed behind the teeth.
This discomfort doesn’t mean something is wrong, it’s simply your teeth beginning to move.
Choosing braces-friendly foods during this time can make a big difference in comfort and healing.
That’s why understanding what can you have with braces in the first week is so important.
You can learn more about braces treatment at Ortho Co and whether it’s right for you.
Why Soft Foods Are Best the First Week With Braces
During the first week of wearing braces, your teeth are more sensitive to pressure.
Soft foods reduce the force needed to chew, helping you avoid unnecessary discomfort and lowering the risk of breaking brackets or wires.
Hard, crunchy or sticky foods can :
- Increase pain when chewing
- Damage parts of the dental braces such as brackets or wires
- Get trapped around brackets, making cleaning around braces more difficult
From an orthodontist’s perspective, soft, braces-friendly foods help protect your teeth braces while your mouth adapts to treatment.
From a patient point of view, soft foods allow your mouth to adjust while still giving your body the nutrition it needs.
Best Foods to Eat the First Week With Braces
When patients ask what to eat with braces, I recommend focusing on foods that are soft, nourishing, and easy to chew.
Soft Meals (Braces-Friendly Options)
- Mashed potatoes or sweet potato
- Scrambled eggs
- Soft pasta, noodles, or macaroni
- Risotto
- Soft stews and casseroles
- Steamed or slow-cooked vegetables
Protein-Rich Soft Foods
- Minced meat or slow-cooked shredded chicken
- Soft fish (salmon or barramundi)
- Eggs
- Soft lentils or beans
- Soft Tofu
Dairy & Calcium-Rich Foods
- Yoghurt (plain or Greek)
- Cottage cheese
- Custard
- Ice cream
Snacks You Can Have With Braces
- Smoothies
- Bananas
- Avocado
- Protein shakes
These braces-friendly snacks are ideal during the first week and are commonly recommended by orthodontists and dentists alike.
Foods to Avoid During Your First Week With Braces
Knowing what not to eat with braces is just as important as knowing what you can have.
Avoid these foods during the first week :
- Hard foods (nuts, popcorn, muesli, crusty bread like sourdough)
- Sticky foods (toffees, chewing gum, caramels)
- Crunchy snacks (chips, crackers)
- Whole apples or raw carrots (unless cooked or cut very thinly)
- Tough or chewy meats (steak and beef jerky)
These foods place excess stress on teeth braces and can cause breakages, especially when your mouth is already sore.
How to Eat Comfortably With New Braces
To make eating with braces easier in the first week :
- Cut food into small, bite-sized pieces
- Chew slowly using your back teeth
- Choose soft foods even if discomfort feels mild
- Use orthodontic wax if brackets irritate cheeks or lips
- Rinse with warm salt water to soothe sore gums
If you are wearing lingual braces, soft foods are particularly important early on as your tongue adjusts.
Sample Meal Ideas for the First Week With Braces
Breakfast
- Smoothie with banana, yoghurt, oats, and berries
- Scrambled eggs with avocado
- Porridge with soft fruit
Lunch
- Pumpkin or tomato soup
- Soft pasta with minced meat sauce like Spaghetti Bolognaises
- Mashed sweet potato with soft fish (grilled salmon)
Dinner
- Risotto with vegetables
- Slow-cooked chicken with mashed vegetables
- Soft noodles with tofu
Snacks
- Yoghurt
- Berries
- Protein shakes
These meals are gentle, nourishing, and ideal when wearing braces in the first week.
What day is the most painful with braces?
For most patients, days 2 to 3 after getting braces fitted are typically the most uncomfortable.
This is when :
- The teeth begin responding to the gentle pressure from the braces
- Inflammation around the tooth ligaments peaks
- Chewing feels more tender than on day one
The good news is that this discomfort is temporary.
Most patients notice :
- Pain begins to ease by day 4 or 5
- Chewing becomes much more comfortable within 7 days
- Any lingering sensitivity is usually mild
Every patient’s experience is different, but severe pain is uncommon.
If discomfort feels unusual or worsens rather than improves, it’s important to contact your orthodontic team.
When Can You Start Eating Normal Foods Again?
Most patients can slowly return to more normal foods after 7–10 days, once tooth soreness reduces.
However, certain foods that are hard, crunchy and sticky should still be avoided throughout treatment to protect your braces.
Your orthodontist will guide you on safe food choices at each stage of treatment.
If you’re based in Sydney’s Inner West and need support, our Canterbury Orthodontist team is here to help.
Braces vs Clear Aligners : Is Eating Different?
With clear aligners, you remove the appliance to eat, so food restrictions are less strict.
It is still best to avoid hard foods to minimise breaking your attachments.
Aligners also require excellent hygiene and discipline.
With dental braces, food choices play a bigger role in comfort and appliance safety, especially in the first week.
A specialist orthodontist can help you decide whether braces or clear aligners are best for your bite and lifestyle.
👉 https://www.orthoco.com.au/
FAQ’s : Eating With Braces in the First Week
1. What snacks can you have with braces
Soft snacks like yoghurt, smoothies, bananas, and protein shakes are braces-friendly and comfortable.
2. How long does it hurt to eat after getting braces?
Discomfort usually peaks within the first 3–5 days and improves by the end of the first week.
3. Should I avoid eating if my teeth are sore?
No. eating soft foods helps maintain blood flow and supports healing.
Final Thoughts From Dr Doreen
Knowing what to eat with braces in the first week can make a big difference to comfort, confidence, and appliance care.
With the right soft foods, braces-friendly snacks, and guidance from your orthodontist, the adjustment period is usually short and manageable.
As leading paramatta orthodontists, we’re here to support you through every stage of your orthodontic journey, starting from day one.
To make the first week with braces even easier, Dr Doreen has created a braces-friendly recipe book with simple meal ideas and snacks, download it here or contact Ortho Co for personalised orthodontic advice.
