Can You Eat Oatmeal With Braces? (Perfect Braces Food)
Can you eat oatmeal with braces? Yes, oatmeal is a safe and nutritious option for people with braces. In fact, new braces can make teeth tender, so oatmeal is a great breakfast choice that can provide relief.
For a twist on oatmeal, try adding mashed pear and cinnamon. This delicious combination adds a sweet, fruity flavor to your breakfast and makes it more enjoyable. Just be sure to cook the oatmeal until it is creamy and soft to make it easier to chew and swallow
Here is a table of oatmeal and its suitability for people with braces:
| Type of Oatmeal | Safe to Eat? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cooked, creamy oatmeal | Yes | Cooked, creamy oatmeal is safe to eat with braces, as it is soft and easy to chew. |
| Cooked, thick oatmeal | Yes | Cooked, thick oatmeal is safe to eat with braces, as long as it is mashed or sliced into small pieces for easier chewing. |
| Raw oats | No | Raw oats should be avoided with braces, as they are hard and difficult to chew. They may also get stuck in braces and cause damage. |
| Oatmeal cookies | No | Oatmeal cookies should be avoided with braces, as they are hard and difficult to chew. They may also contain other hard, sticky ingredients that can cause damage to braces. |
We searched the web for more information on forums about eating oatmeal with braces.
How to Eat Oatmeal with Braces?
| Tip | Description |
|---|---|
| Cook oatmeal until it is soft and creamy | Oatmeal that is cooked until it is soft and creamy is easier to chew and swallow with braces. Avoid eating oatmeal that is thick or lumpy, as it may be difficult to chew and could potentially cause damage to your braces. |
| Mash or slice thick oatmeal into small pieces | If you prefer thick oatmeal, mash or slice it into small pieces before eating to make it easier to chew and swallow. This will help to prevent damage to your braces and make the oatmeal more comfortable to eat. |
| Avoid raw oats | Raw oats are hard and difficult to chew, which can be uncomfortable for people with braces. They may also get stuck in braces and cause damage. To prevent these problems, avoid eating raw oats with braces. |
| Avoid oatmeal cookies | Oatmeal cookies are hard and difficult to chew, and they may also contain other hard, sticky ingredients that can cause damage to braces. To prevent these problems, avoid eating oatmeal cookies with braces. |
| Talk to your orthodontist | If you have any questions or concerns about eating oatmeal with braces, talk to your orthodontist. They can provide personalized advice and guidance on which foods are safe to eat with braces and how to maintain good oral hygiene while wearing braces. |
Oatmeal Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of rolled oats
- 1 cup of water or milk
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
- In a small saucepan, bring the water or milk to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Add the rolled oats and a pinch of salt to the boiling water or milk. Stir to combine.
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer the oatmeal for about 5 minutes, or until it is thick and creamy.
- Serve the oatmeal hot, topped with your favorite fruits, nuts, or other toppings. Enjoy!
Note: If you prefer thicker oatmeal, use less water or milk. If you prefer thinner oatmeal, use more water or milk. You can also adjust the cooking time to achieve the desired consistency.
What About Other Similar Types of Foods?
Can you eat soup with braces?
After getting braces, soup is an obvious choice because it is easy to eat and does not require much chewing. Instead of soups with a lot of hard ingredients, choose ones with plenty of broth. Blended recipes also work well.
Can you eat yogurt with braces?
When you first get braces, yogurt is a delicious soft food that is packed with protein. Sore teeth can be soothed by yogurt’s soothing cold. Teeth and gums will feel great after this numbing effect. Stick with natural low-fat and sugar free yogurts where possible.
Here is an extended table of foods you can eat with braces, with some additional options:
| Soft foods | Foods to avoid |
|---|---|
| Cooked pasta | Hard or chewy candy |
| Cooked rice | Hard or crunchy chips |
| Mashed potatoes | Hard or crunchy granola bars |
| Soft fruits (e.g. bananas, berries) | Hard or chewy fruit snacks |
| Soft vegetables (e.g. steamed broccoli, carrots) | Hard or chewy nuts |
| Soft protein sources (e.g. cooked eggs, chicken) | Hard or chewy bread or bagels |
| Soft dairy products (e.g. yogurt, cheese) | Hard or chewy ice cream or frozen yogurt |
| Soft desserts (e.g. pudding, jello) | Hard or chewy cookies or brownies |
| Soft cereals (e.g. oatmeal, cream of wheat) | Hard or crunchy granola |
| Soft soups (e.g. pureed or cream soups) | Hard or chewy pretzels or jerky |
| Soft bread (e.g. white bread, muffins) | Hard or chewy candy bars |
| Soft fruits (e.g. applesauce, fruit purees) | Hard or chewy caramel or taffy |
| Soft protein sources (e.g. ground beef, turkey) | Hard or chewy licorice or gummies |
| Soft rice dishes (e.g. risotto, rice pudding) | Hard or chewy jelly beans or gum |
| Soft vegetables (e.g. steamed spinach, squash) | Hard or chewy lollipops or jawbreakers |
| Soft fish (e.g. salmon, tilapia) | Hard or chewy fruit leather or chewable vitamins |
Food “hardness” and food “stickiness” should be considered when determining what is okay to eat while wearing braces.
To prevent bending or breaking the wires in your mouth, avoid chewing anything that has hard chunks. Damage can be caused to wires by popcorn kernels, nuts, seeds, hard candy, apples, crunchy vegetables etc.
Getting stuck between the wires and brackets of your teeth can be a problem with sticky items that do not “clear” the mouth quickly. The likes of gum, caramel, taffy. Avoid eating foods that stick between your teeth, even if you don’t have braces.
After eating, excellent oral hygiene is essential with braces. After eating, swish vigorously with lots of clean water if you’re at school/work during the day
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to brush your teeth thoroughly, but gently. Use a water pick to reach those hard-to-reach places, and use interdental brushes/picks to get between your teeth.
Conclusion
So, can you eat oatmeal with braces? Yes. When wearing braces, oatmeal makes a great choice, because it’s extremely soft and not sticky at all.
If you are wearing metal braces, we recommend cleaning your braces within the next 60 minutes after eating foods. Follow these simple tips to ensure good oral hygiene.
- Spend two minutes brushing your teeth. Take 30 seconds to brush your upper right, lower right, upper left, and lower left sections of your mouth. Make sure your teeth are brushed on both the outside and inside. For two full minutes of brushing, set a timer.
- Using a threader or Waterpik is recommended. The most challenging aspect of oral hygiene when wearing braces is flossing. Threading floss through the wire will be easier if it is attached to a threader. To remove further plaque, use a sawing motion. Water flossers are also recommended. Water is used to clean, and flossing is easy and quick.
- At night, you should use mouthwash. Consider fluoride mouthwashes that protect enamel and fight caries. Any food particles will be removed after one minute of rinsing. Inspect the mirror after rinsing to see if any spots were missed.
You should consult with your dentist first to find out what kind of guide to follow based on your treatment condition before consuming your favorite foods.
For more foods, read our comprehensive post of what you can eat with braces.
Can You Eat Oatmeal With Braces?
Perry heads up a dynamic marketing team that has help the leading orthodontic practices in the USA 10X their business for over a decade. He’s a tea connoisseur, avid reader, traveling and grower of exotic fruits in his permaculture food forest.
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