Foods to Avoid with Braces
Protect your braces and keep your treatment on track
Why Food Choices Matter
Certain foods can damage your braces by breaking brackets, bending wires, or getting stuck in hard-to-clean places. When brackets break or wires bend, it can:
Delay your treatment and extend your time in braces
Cause discomfort and pain
Require additional repair appointments
Increase your overall treatment cost
Lead to tooth decay if food gets stuck
The good news? You can still enjoy delicious foods – just with a few smart modifications!
Foods to Avoid
Stay away from these foods while wearing braces
Hard Foods
Can break brackets and bend wires
Ice
Hard candy
Nuts and seeds
Popcorn (kernels)
Hard pretzels
Hard cookies or crackers
Hard taco shells
Hard pizza crust
Try instead: Choose softer versions or cut into small pieces
Sticky Foods
Get stuck in braces and pull off brackets
Gum (even sugar-free)
Caramel and toffee
Taffy and Starburst
Gummy bears/worms
Licorice
Skittles and M&Ms
Sugar Daddies
Fruit roll-ups
Try instead: Try soft fruits or frozen treats instead
Chewy Foods
Put excess pressure on brackets
Bagels (unless torn into pieces)
Hard rolls
Beef jerky
Chewy candy
Pizza crust (thick)
Licorice
Tough meat
Try instead: Choose tender meats and soft breads
Foods You Bite Into
Direct pressure can knock off brackets
Corn on the cob
Whole apples
Carrots (raw, whole)
Celery (raw, whole)
Chicken wings (on bone)
Ribs (on bone)
Whole pickles
Pears (whole)
Try instead: Cut into bite-sized pieces before eating
Eating Safely with Braces
Follow these tips to protect your braces
🔪
Cut Food into Small Pieces
Use a knife to cut foods like apples, carrots, and meat into bite-sized pieces. Never bite directly into hard foods.
🍗
Remove Food from Bones
Take meat off the bone before eating. This includes chicken wings, ribs, and corn on the cob.
⚠️
Be Careful with Crunchy Foods
If you do eat something crunchy, chew carefully with your back teeth and avoid biting down hard.
🧊
Skip the Ice
Never chew on ice! It's one of the most common causes of broken brackets.
Braces-Friendly Foods
Enjoy these delicious and safe options
Proteins
Soft-cooked chicken, turkey, and fish
Eggs (scrambled, hard-boiled)
Tofu
Beans and lentils
Smooth peanut butter
Ground beef or turkey
Lunch meats
Tuna and chicken salad
Grains
Soft bread and tortillas
Pancakes and waffles
Pasta and noodles
Rice
Soft cereals
Oatmeal and cream of wheat
Soft-cooked quinoa
Soft muffins and cakes
Fruits
Bananas
Berries (strawberries, blueberries)
Grapes (cut in half)
Watermelon and melon
Canned fruits
Applesauce
Smoothies
Soft peaches and nectarines
Vegetables
Steamed or cooked vegetables
Mashed potatoes
Sweet potatoes
Avocado
Cucumber (sliced thin)
Tomatoes
Lettuce and soft greens
Cooked carrots and broccoli
Dairy
Milk and chocolate milk
Yogurt
Soft cheese
Pudding
Ice cream and frozen yogurt
Milkshakes and smoothies
Cottage cheese
Cream cheese
Treats
Soft cookies
Brownies (no nuts)
Cake
Jello
Soft candy bars
Frozen yogurt
Popsicles
Chocolate (soft varieties)
Quick Reference: When in Doubt...
If it's hard, cut it into small pieces or don't eat it
If it's sticky, skip it entirely
If you have to bite into it, cut it first
If you're not sure, ask us!
Questions About Your Diet with Braces?
We’re here to help you navigate food choices during treatment.