If you are new to orthodontic braces, you may still be adjusting to them – and you have probably already noticed there are certain foods you can no longer enjoy as before.
To help you, we have made a list of foods to avoid with braces, along with safer alternatives you can still enjoy.
Why eating the wrong foods with braces is risky
Braces are delicate, and eating the wrong foods can easily damage them. If you are new to braces it is important you learn how to care of your braces.
Hard foods like nuts, popcorn or raw carrots can snap brackets or bend wires. Sticky or chewy foods — such as toffees or chewing gum — can pull brackets off or get caught around the wires. Even biting into apples or corn on the cob can loosen parts of your braces. To protect them, cut firm foods into smaller pieces and chew carefully.
Wearing braces can also increase your risk of cavities. Food and plaque can collect around the brackets and wires, making it harder to brush and floss. Sugary snacks and fizzy drinks feed the bacteria that cause tooth decay and staining, especially around the edges of brackets. Try to reduce your sweet treats and rinse your mouth with water after eating if you can’t brush straight away.
Another common issue is discomfort from trapped food. Small pieces of food can easily get stuck between your braces and teeth, causing irritation. Over time, this can make your gums inflamed or tender.
To keep your mouth healthy and comfortable, it is important to learn how to clean your braces after. For example, use an orthodontic toothbrush or an electric brush, and make sure to brush all around each bracket. Floss daily with orthodontic floss or an interdental brush, and finish by rinsing with a fluoride mouthwash. Finally, regular checkups with your orthodontist will help ensure everything stays in good condition.
Foods to avoid with braces
Whether you wear clear braces, traditional metal braces or self-ligating braces, there are certain foods and snacks you may want to avoid to prevent damage to your braces. These include:
- Nuts: Almonds, peanuts, mixed nut clusters are too hard and can break or loosen brackets and wires
- Sticky candies: Caramels, taffy, licorice, sticky gummies, chewing gum can cling to braces and pull on wires or brackets
- Hard candies and ice: Lollipops, mints, jawbreakers or chewing ice could can crack parts of your braces
- Crunchy chips, pretzels and hard snack foods: Kettle chips, hard pretzels and corn chips can get stuck in your braces or cause breakage
- Hard bread and crusts: Bagels, hard rolls, thick or crispy pizza crust are tough to bite and may strain or damage your braces
- Whole raw vegetables and hard fruits: Carrots or apples should be cut into small pieces
Can you eat popcorn with braces?
You should avoid popcorn during treatment. Unpopped kernels can stick under wires or around brackets, and biting them can break your braces.
Instead: Try hull-less puffed corn snacks or air-popped alternatives.
Can you chew gum with braces?
Chewing gums are an example of sticky gummies that you should avoid with braces. They can easily pull on your brackets and wires, and removing them can be very difficult.
Instead: If you like chewing gum to freshen your mouth, change this for a sugar-free mint that dissolves instead.
Can you eat marshmallows with braces?
You may think marshmallows are safe because they are soft, but they are also sticky. They can cling to your brackets and cleaning them may be complicated. Like other sweets, they are high in sugar, which contributes to plaque build and caries.
Instead: Choose soft and non-sticky sweets, and always remember to brush afterward.
Can you eat Oreos with braces?
If you are a cookie lover, you can still enjoy them – but with caution. Hard or crunchy cookies can require forceful biting, increasing the risk of damaging your brackets and crumbs getting around them.
Instead: Have your cookies with milk or choose a soft-baked version. Always brush thoroughly afterward to remove any residue and reduce sugar exposure.
Can you eat corn on the cob with braces?
You should avoid biting directly from the cob, as this can loosen or break your brackets.
Instead: Cut the kernels off the cob to enjoy your corn.
Safe foods to eat with braces
In the first few days after getting your braces, it can feel a little overwhelming to think about all the foods you will need to avoid. Chewing and biting might also feel uncomfortable at first, so soft foods will be your best friend while you adjust.
But don’t worry — there are still plenty of delicious and brace-safe options, including soft candies:
- Oatmeal
- Scrambled eggs
- Soups
- Pasta
- Seafood
- Soft vegetables
- Mashed potatoes
- Pizza
- Soft cheeses
- Bananas
- Berries
- Yogurt
- Soft chocolate and candies
- Ice cream
What should you do if you damage your braces while eating?
Even if you are careful, a bracket may break, or a wire may become loose. In this case, don’t worry as most issues can be easily fixed by your orthodontist.
Steps you should take until you are seen by a specialist:
- Assess the situation. Identify what is broken or loose – for example, a wire poking your cheek or a bracket that has come off.
- Protect your mouth. If a wire is irritating your gums or cheeks, place orthodontic wax over the sharp end.
- Avoid further damage. Eat soft foods until your braces are repaired and avoid touching or pulling the broken part.
- Contact your orthodontist promptly. Let them know what happened. They will advise whether you need an urgent appointment.
- Keep your braces clean. Continue brushing gently around the affected area to prevent plaque buildup or infection.
Don’t try to fix your braces yourself, always seek professional advice.
Key takeaways
If you have just started your orthodontic treatment, modifying your eating habits can feel challenging. However, it is all about opting for a safer alternative, and as you have seen, there are plenty of them!
Knowing what foods to avoid with braces will help to protect your brackets, bands and wires, while maintaining good brushing habits will keep your teeth and gums healthy during your treatment.
Contact us or schedule a consultation at Image Orthodontics today. We’d love to guide you toward a healthy and beautiful smile!
