Foods you can and can’t eat with braces

Getting braces is an exciting time, no matter if you’re a child or adult. Though it may be tempting to snack on a hard lolly or some roasted nuts while you’ve got your braces, there are some foods that are better left untouched when you’re wearing them.

Avoiding certain foods (and prioritising others) can truly make a difference when it comes to maintaining your braces. There’s nothing worse than biting into a whole apple only for your braces wires to break or for your bracket to come loose. This handy guide will explain the different foods you can eat with braces and what you should avoid (for now).

What happens if you eat the wrong foods?

If you’ve accidentally eaten the wrong food while wearing your braces, chances are you might experience some level of discomfort. This can also put you at risk of a broken bracket or wire, which may require a quick and unexpected trip to your regular orthodontist. Having to go to your orthodontist unexpectedly can also increase your treatment time, meaning it can take a tiny bit longer for your braces to work their magic.

There are also some sticky or high-sugar (or both) foods that, if eaten while wearing braces, can easily get stuck in your wires or brackets. This can create a harmful environment for plaque and bacteria to grow, which can cause long-lasting damage to your teeth, such as tooth decay, if not taken care of properly.

What can you eat with braces?

Some of the best foods to eat with braces are low in sugar and don’t require a lot of chewing, which includes:

• soft, complex carbohydrates, like bread, cooked grains and mashed potatoes
• soft and hearty foods, like soup and stews
• dairy foods and drinks, like soft cheese, yoghurt and milk
• fruits and vegetables that are cooked until soft or cut/grated into bite-sized pieces
• meat, poultry, fish and protein-rich foods that are cooked until soft or tender.

What should you eat for the first week of braces?

During the first week of getting braces, it’s very normal to feel some discomfort – your mouth is adjusting to the new appliance, after all. You should eat soft foods that are easy to chew and swallow, such as:

• yoghurt
• boiled or steamed vegetables
• soft meats
• stewed fruit
• thin soups.

These foods will help avoid putting any additional pressure on your teeth, which may be feeling sensitive and tender.

What foods should you avoid with braces?

It’s important that you aim to eat a health, well-balanced diet while wearing fixed braces so you can avoid excessive snacking. You should also avoid certain types of foods, which include:

• chewy foods, such as lollies and liquorice
• crunchy foods, such as chips and popcorn
• sticky foods, such as caramel and dried fruits
• hard foods, such as nuts and pretzels
• foods that you need to bite into forcefully, like whole apples and raw carrots
• sugary foods, like lollies and boiled sweets
• sweet drinks such as fruit juice, cordial and soft drinks.

Can you chew gum?

Contrary to what you may think, you can actually chew gum while you have braces. But there’s a catch. You should opt for a sugar-free chewing gum that come in soft strips. This can help stimulate saliva, which in turn can help prevent tooth decay in your mouth (a big win if you have braces).

Avoid bubble gum entirely, as it usually contains sugar and is stickier to its chewing gum counterpart. Chewing bubble gum can often get stuck in your wires or brackets, which can lead to cavities and tooth decay if not removed properly.

Can you eat chocolate?

Yes, you can eat chocolate with braces. However, this must be done in moderation, due to the high sugar content of chocolate. When you can, try to reach for dark chocolate, instead of milk chocolate varieties. You should also avoid chocolate that has any caramel, toffee or nuts in it to reduce the likelihood of breaking a bracket or wire.

Can you eat pizza?

If you’re a pizza lover, then we’ve got good news – you can still enjoy your tasty, cheesy meal. But it’s best if you slice off the crust before you take a bite, as the crust often requires a lot of chewing, which isn’t great for your braces.

Can you eat chips or fries?

Whether you like hot potato chips or thin crisps from the packet, you don’t have to give up chips when you get braces. Fries are the least risky and probably the easiest to eat when your braces are still new if your mouth is feeling a bit sensitive, as they’re soft to bite into. Though as with any soft food, removing the debris correctly after eating. Use a floss or proxy tip to get rid of any lingering potato, but be gentle – if some pieces do not dislodge easily, don’t force or try repeatedly as you risk damage to your braces.

Can you eat soft pretzels?

Soft pretzels, as with any other bready food, is generally fine for consumption while wearing braces. But you should eat these bready treats in moderation both for your dental and physical health. Soft pretzels are fine for braces, so long as any lingering bits of bread are removed after eating. Foods with higher amounts of sugar can negatively impact your oral health if they’re stuck in your teeth, wires or brackets.

Hard pretzels, by contrast, are a big no-no. Anything that requires a lot of force to bite through is going to be detrimental to the integrity of your braces over time, and risks separating the bracket from your tooth.

Can you eat apples?

An apple a day still keeps the doctor away even when wearing braces, but only if you eat it correctly. It’s always best to slice up the apple into bite-sized pieces, as it can help avoid damage to your brackets and wires.

Can you eat with wax on your braces?

Orthodontic wax is non-toxic and safe if accidentally consumed. It’s made for you to put in your mouth so you can definitely eat while it is applied – in fact, if you have a mouther ulcer, it may make it much easier to get through a meal without too much discomfort. If you happen to dislodge the wax while eating, simply replace it after your meal. Just be sure to rinse your mouth and brush your teeth first to ensure you’re not affixing food debris to your tooth.

Considerations for eating with braces

Regardless of what types of foods you eat with braces, it is important to keep the crevices between the teeth and around the braces very clean. This means you should brush and floss at least twice a day to prevent the build-up of plaque and decay. Failing to do so damage the teeth and gums, and it can also cause discolouration that can last a lifetime.

To ensure that you’re getting the best results possible from your braces treatment, follow our advice about what you can and can’t eat with braces. Or you can ask your orthodontist any questions about your specific treatment.