After you get braces, it will take time to get used to them. For example, you may talk a little differently at first and have to adjust to how you chew your food.
When you first get your braces on and after appointments where your braces get adjusted, your mouth will be sore for a few days. During that time, the following may help:
- Eat soft food, like mashed potatoes, soups, and yogurt.
- Use over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers if needed.
- Use dental wax over areas that cause mouth sores.7
For the most part, after the initial soreness wears off, you can continue to eat normally. However, you may want to avoid some items that can damage or stain your braces, including:6
- Sticky, chewy candy that could get stuck in your braces
- Popcorn and hard candy that could break brackets
- Sugary soda and juice can aid in tooth decay and may stain the teeth
In addition, when you have braces, it’s essential to brush and floss consistently. That way, when your braces come off, you won’t have stains around where your brackets once were.