Jan 30, 2025

What food can I eat with braces? A complete guide

Getting braces is an exciting step towards a straighter, healthier smile. But as you adjust to your new orthodontic appliances, you’ll need to make some changes to your diet to protect your braces and maintain excellent oral health.

Certain foods can damage brackets and wires, prolonging treatment time or leading to unexpected trips to your orthodontist. On the other hand, plenty of delicious, braces-friendly foods will keep you comfortable and nourished throughout your treatment.

In this guide from SmileStyle Orthodontics, we’ll cover what foods to avoid with braces, the best foods to eat, and some simple tips for keeping your smile in top shape.

What foods should you avoid with braces?

Braces are designed to gently shift your teeth into alignment using brackets, wires, and bands. However, some foods can interfere with this process by breaking brackets, bending wires, or getting stuck in hard-to-clean places.

To keep your treatment on track, here are the main food types to avoid:

Hard foods

Biting into hard foods can exert too much pressure on your braces, potentially causing breakages. Common culprits include:

• Nuts – Whole nuts and nut bars can snap wires or dislodge brackets.
• Ice – Chewing ice is a common habit, but it’s risky for braces wearers.
• Hard lollies – Sucking on hard lollies can lead to unexpected breakages, while biting into them increases the risk further.
• Crusty bread & crackers – Hard bread like baguettes or crackers can be too tough for braces.

Sticky foods

Sticky foods cling to brackets and wires, making them difficult to clean and increasing the risk of plaque buildup. Avoid:

• Caramels & toffees – These can pull at brackets and are difficult to remove from teeth.
• Chewing gum – Gum can wrap around brackets and make cleaning your teeth a challenge.
• Gummy lollies – Their sticky nature makes them a nightmare for braces wearers.

Chewy foods

Foods that require a lot of chewing can loosen brackets and wires over time. Some of the main ones to avoid include:

• Bagels & tough bread – The dense texture can strain your braces.
• Tough meats – Opt for softer cuts of meat or cook them until tender.
• Corn on the cob – Biting into corn directly can be risky; try cutting the kernels off instead.

Foods that stain

Some foods don’t damage braces but can cause unwanted staining around the brackets. If you want to maintain an even tooth colour, limit:

• Dark berries – Blueberries, blackberries, and cherries can stain teeth.
• Coffee & tea – Frequent consumption can lead to discolouration.
• Tomato-based sauces – Pasta sauce and curries can leave stubborn stains.

What food can you eat with braces?

While it’s important to be cautious about what you eat, there are still plenty of delicious, braces-friendly foods to enjoy. These options are gentle on your braces while providing the nutrition you need:

Soft foods

Soft foods are easy to chew and won’t put pressure on your braces. Some great options include:

• Yoghurt – A nutritious snack that’s easy on braces.
• Mashed potatoes – Comforting and easy to eat.
• Scrambled eggs – A protein-packed choice that’s soft and gentle on teeth

Cooked fruits and vegetables

Raw fruits and vegetables can be tricky to eat with braces, but cooked versions are a great alternative:

• Steamed vegetables – Soft broccoli, carrots, and zucchini are easy to chew.
• Soft fruits – Bananas, mangoes, and cooked apples are braces-friendly choices.

Pasta and rice dishes

Both pasta and rice are soft and versatile, making them great staples:

• Spaghetti & pasta – Choose soft pasta with mild sauces.
• Risotto – A creamy, braces-friendly alternative to harder grains.

Smoothies

Smoothies are a fantastic way to get your vitamins while keeping things easy on your teeth. Blend your favourite fruits with yoghurt or milk for a nutritious, braces-friendly treat.

Tips for eating with braces

• Cut food into smaller pieces – Instead of biting directly into hard or chewy foods, cut them into bite-sized pieces to reduce pressure on your braces.
• Chew with your back teeth – Your molars are better equipped for chewing, so use them whenever possible.
• Rinse and brush after eating – Food particles can get trapped around brackets, so rinse your mouth with water and brush after meals when possible.

Final thoughts

Adjusting to life with braces means making a few changes to your diet, but it doesn’t have to be difficult! By avoiding hard, sticky, chewy, and staining foods, you’ll protect your braces and keep your treatment on track. At the same time, plenty of soft, nutritious, and delicious food options will keep your meals varied and satisfying.

At SmileStyle Orthodontics, we’re here to support you every step of the way. If you have any questions about eating with braces or need guidance on keeping your orthodontic treatment on track, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team.