If you have clear braces, you’re on your way to a straighter smile, but you’ll need to be mindful of what you eat and drink to keep them looking their best. Unlike traditional metal braces, clear braces can stain more easily and are a bit more delicate, so choosing the right foods and beverages is important.
In this article, we’ll cover the best options for eating and drinking with clear braces, plus simple tips to prevent stains and keep them clean. And just to clarify, clear braces are different from clear aligners, which you can remove before meals. With clear braces, a little extra care goes a long way!
If you want to start your treatment with clear braces, book a consultation with us and we will evaluate your case.
Why does your diet matter with clear braces?
What you eat and drink plays a crucial role in maintaining your clear braces and ensuring effective treatment. If you don’t pay attention to your diet while wearing clear braces, some of the consequences may be:
- Staining: Some foods and drinks can discolor the brackets and elastic bands, making them more visible. These include:
- Breakage: Some foods and drinks can damage the braces, causing them to break or become loose.
- Cleaning difficulty: Food particles can get stuck in the braces, leading to plaque buildup, bad breath, and cavities.
- Oral hygiene: Sugary and acidic foods can contribute to tooth decay, especially if they get trapped around your braces.
What can you eat with clear braces?
When you have clear braces, choosing the right foods can help keep them clean, stain-free, and in good condition throughout your treatment. The good news is that there are plenty of delicious, braces-friendly options to enjoy.
- Soft fruits like bananas, melon, or grapes are gentle on your braces, while cooked vegetables, such as carrots, broccoli, and potatoes, provide essential nutrients.
- Dairy products like yogurt, cheese, and milk are great choices too, as they’re not only soft but also rich in calcium, which supports strong teeth.
- When it comes to grains, stick with softer options like rice, pasta, and oatmeal, and opt for tender meats like chicken, fish, and turkey. Even bread can be part of your diet; just choose soft varieties like pancakes, tortillas, and muffins to avoid unnecessary pressure on your braces.
What can't you eat with clear braces?
On the other hand, certain foods should be avoided to prevent staining or damage to your braces:
By choosing the right foods and avoiding those that can harm or discolor your clear braces, you’ll keep your treatment on track while still enjoying a satisfying and varied diet.
- Hard foods such as nuts, hard candies, and popcorn can put too much pressure on your braces and even break brackets.
- Sticky treats like caramel, chewing gum, and gummy candies can easily get stuck, making them difficult to clean off.
- Crunchy foods, like chips, raw carrots, and ice cubes, pose a similar risk, as they require excessive force to chew.
- Tough meats, including steak, jerky, and ribs, can also be difficult to eat without putting strain on your braces.
- Finally, highly pigmented foods, such as tomato sauce, curry, and dark berries, can stain the brackets, making them more noticeable over time.
By choosing the right foods and avoiding those that can harm or discolor your clear braces, you’ll keep your treatment on track while still enjoying a satisfying and varied diet.
What can you drink with clear braces?
Staying hydrated is essential, but choosing the right beverages can also help keep your braces clean and stain-free. The best drinks for clear braces are those that are light in color and low in sugar. For example:
- Water is always the top choice as it keeps your mouth fresh, washes away food particles, and helps prevent cavities.
- Milk is another great option, as it is rich in calcium and won’t stain your braces.
- If you’re looking for something warm and soothing, clear herbal teas can be a good alternative, as they provide flavor without the risk of discoloration.
What can’t you drink with clear braces?
Some drinks should be avoided to keep your clear braces looking their best:
By choosing the right beverages and limiting those that can stain or damage your teeth, you can maintain a bright, healthy smile throughout your orthodontic treatment.
- Coffee and traditional tea: While popular, these drinks can easily stain the brackets and elastic bands, making them more noticeable over time.
- Sugary and acidic beverages, like soda and energy drinks, not only increase the risk of cavities but can also weaken your enamel.
- Dark-colored drinks, including red wine and certain fruit juices, can also stain your braces, dulling their clear appearance.
- Water, milk, herbal tea
- Additionally, carbonated drinks contain acids that can wear down both your tooth enamel and the adhesive that holds your braces in place.
By choosing the right beverages and limiting those that can stain or damage your teeth, you can maintain a bright, healthy smile throughout your orthodontic treatment.
Foods and beverages with clear braces: Okay or Not Okay
| Okay | Not Okay | |
| FOODS |
✅ Soft fruits (bananas, melon or grapes) ✅ Cooked vegetables (carrots, broccoli or potatoes) ✅ Dairy products (yogurt or cheese) ✅ Soft grains (rice, pasta or oatmeal) ✅ Tender meats (chicken, fish or turkey) ✅ Soft bread (pancakes, tortillas or muffins) |
❌ Hard foods (nuts, hard candies or popcorn) ❌ Sticky foods (chewing gum, caramel or gummy candies) ❌ Crunchy foods (chips, raw carrots or ice cubes) ❌ Tough meats (steak, jerky or ribs) ❌ Highly pigmented foods (tomato sauce, curry or berries) |
| BEVERAGES |
✅ Water ✅ Milk ✅ Clear herbal teas |
❌ Coffee and tea ❌ Soda and energy drinks ❌ Red wine and dark-colored juices ❌ Carbonated drinks |
Tips for enjoying your food while wearing clear braces
- Cut food into small, bite-sized pieces to reduce pressure on your braces.
- Cook vegetables to soften them before eating.
- Chew with your back teeth to avoid stressing the brackets.
- Rinse your mouth after eating to dislodge trapped food particles.
Tips for enjoying your drinks while wearing clear braces
Use a straw to minimize contact with your teeth and braces when drinking colored beverages.
- Use a straw to minimize contact with your teeth and braces when drinking colored beverages.
- Drink water frequently to rinse away sugars and acids.
- Brush your teeth after consuming staining drinks to prevent discoloration.
- If you must drink coffee or tea, opt for lighter-colored herbal teas or drink quickly rather than sipping over long periods.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Biting into hard foods like apples and corn on the cob without cutting them first.
- Drinking soda and energy drinks frequently, leading to enamel erosion.
- Forgetting to brush and floss when consuming sticky or sugary foods.
- Ignoring stains on brackets until they become too noticeable.
Image Orthodontics
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about food That can Stain clear braces
Yes, foods with strong pigments, such as curry, tomato sauce, and berries, can stain the clear brackets and elastic bands, making them more noticeable.
Why can’t you drink coffee with clear braces?
Coffee can stain both the clear brackets and the elastic bands, making your braces appear more visible.
If you must drink coffee, use a straw and rinse your mouth afterward.
