Getting braces is an exciting step toward a healthier, more confident smile. During treatment, however, certain foods can damage brackets and wires or make it more difficult to keep your teeth clean.
Knowing what to avoid can help prevent broken appliances, unexpected appointments, and delays in your treatment. Fortunately, you can still enjoy a wide variety of foods while wearing braces.
At Johnson Orthodontics, Dr. Brad Johnson and our team help patients throughout Mentor, Chagrin Falls, and surrounding Northeast Ohio communities protect their braces and keep treatment moving forward.
Why Are Food Restrictions Important With Braces?
Braces use brackets, wires, and other components to apply controlled pressure to your teeth. Although orthodontic appliances are designed to be durable, they can still be damaged by hard, sticky, or chewy foods.
A loose bracket or bent wire may interfere with the forces being used to move your teeth. Depending on the damage, treatment may not progress as planned until the appliance is repaired.
Food can also become trapped around brackets and wires. Frequent exposure to sugar and plaque may increase the risk of cavities, gum irritation, and permanent marks on the teeth.
Choosing braces-friendly foods helps protect both your orthodontic appliances and your oral health.
Hard Foods to Avoid With Braces
Hard foods can place excessive pressure on brackets and wires. Some may be safe when prepared differently, but they should not be bitten into directly.
Foods to avoid or modify include:
- Hard candy
- Ice
- Popcorn kernels
- Nuts
- Hard pretzels
- Corn chips
- Hard taco shells
- Raw carrots
- Whole apples
- Corn on the cob
- Tough pizza crust
- Hard bread or bagels
Apples and raw vegetables do not necessarily need to be eliminated. Cut them into small, bite-sized pieces and chew carefully with your back teeth.
Corn can also be removed from the cob before eating.
Never chew on ice, even if it seems soft enough to bite. Ice can damage brackets, bend wires, and potentially harm your teeth.
Sticky and Chewy Foods to Avoid
Sticky foods can pull on brackets, become wrapped around wires, and remain trapped in areas that are difficult to clean.
Avoid foods such as:
- Caramel
- Taffy
- Gum
- Gummy candy
- Fruit chews
- Sticky granola bars
- Licorice
- Chewy candy
- Toffee
These foods may be especially difficult to remove from braces and can expose the teeth to sugar for extended periods.
Foods You Should Not Bite Into
Even foods that are not especially hard can cause problems when you bite directly into them with your front teeth.
Avoid biting into:
- Whole apples
- Raw carrots
- Corn on the cob
- Thick sandwiches
- Burgers
- Chicken wings
- Ribs
- Pizza crust
Instead, cut food into smaller pieces and chew with your back teeth. Remove meat from bones before eating, and slice sandwiches or burgers into manageable portions.
This simple adjustment can significantly reduce the risk of broken brackets.
Sugary Foods and Drinks to Limit
Sugar does not usually damage braces directly, but frequent consumption can contribute to tooth decay.
Plaque tends to collect around brackets and wires, creating more areas where sugar and bacteria can remain on the teeth.
Limit items such as:
- Soda
- Sweet tea
- Energy drinks
- Sports drinks
- Candy
- Cookies
- Cakes
- Sugary cereal
- Sweetened coffee drinks
- Fruit juice
Water is the best everyday drink during orthodontic treatment. It helps rinse away food particles without exposing your teeth to sugar or acid.
You do not have to eliminate every treat, but moderation and thorough brushing are important.
What Can You Eat With Braces?
There are many braces-friendly foods that are comfortable, nutritious, and easy to enjoy.
Good choices include:
- Yogurt
- Eggs
- Oatmeal
- Soft fruit
- Cooked vegetables
- Pasta
- Rice
- Soup
- Soft bread
- Cheese
- Fish
- Tender chicken
- Ground meat
- Mashed potatoes
- Smoothies
Immediately after braces are placed or adjusted, your teeth may feel temporarily tender. Softer foods can make eating more comfortable during this adjustment period.
What Should You Eat After Getting Braces?
During the first few days, choose foods that require minimal chewing.
Examples include:
- Scrambled eggs
- Applesauce
- Yogurt
- Smoothies
- Soup
- Mashed potatoes
- Macaroni and cheese
- Soft pasta
- Pudding
- Cottage cheese
Avoid very hot, spicy, or acidic foods if the inside of your mouth feels irritated. As the tenderness improves, you can gradually return to a wider range of braces-friendly foods.
How to Keep Braces Clean After Eating
Food can easily become trapped around brackets and underneath wires. Good oral hygiene is essential throughout treatment.
To protect your smile:
- Brush after meals whenever possible
- Use fluoride toothpaste
- Clean carefully around every bracket
- Floss daily with orthodontic flossing tools
- Use an interdental brush for hard-to-reach areas
- Continue regular dental cleanings
- Rinse with water when brushing is not immediately available
Keeping a travel toothbrush and orthodontic cleaning kit with you can make it easier to care for your braces at school, work, or while traveling.
What Happens If You Break a Bracket?
A broken bracket is not usually a serious emergency, but it should be reported to the orthodontic team.
Contact Johnson Orthodontics if you notice:
- A loose bracket
- A bent or broken wire
- A wire poking your cheek
- A missing elastic
- Significant discomfort
- Any part of your braces that appears damaged
Do not attempt to remove or repair an orthodontic appliance yourself. Our team will provide instructions and determine whether an appointment is needed.
Orthodontic wax may temporarily help protect your cheek or lip from a sharp area until the appliance can be evaluated.
Protecting Your Smile During Braces Treatment
Food restrictions may require a few adjustments, but they are temporary. Making thoughtful choices can help prevent damage, protect your teeth, and keep your treatment on schedule.
Dr. Brad Johnson is a board-certified orthodontist who provides customized braces treatment for children, teens, and adults. Johnson Orthodontics offers traditional metal braces and clear ceramic braces at convenient offices in Mentor and Chagrin Falls.
We also welcome patients from Willoughby, Solon, Bainbridge Township, and communities throughout Northeast Ohio.
Schedule Your Complimentary Braces Consultation
Braces remain one of the most effective ways to correct crowded teeth, spacing, and bite concerns. During your complimentary consultation, Dr. Johnson will evaluate your smile, explain your treatment options, and answer your questions about braces care.
Schedule your consultation with Johnson Orthodontics in Mentor or Chagrin Falls and take the first step toward a healthy, confident smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you eat pizza with braces?
Yes, but choose softer crust and cut the pizza into smaller pieces. Avoid biting into hard or chewy crust.
Can you eat popcorn with braces?
Popcorn is generally not recommended because unpopped kernels and hulls can damage braces or become trapped around the gums.
Can you chew gum with braces?
It is best to avoid gum unless Dr. Johnson specifically tells you otherwise. Gum can stick to brackets and wires.
Can you eat apples with braces?
Yes, but cut apples into small, thin pieces instead of biting into them whole.
What happens if food breaks a bracket?
Contact Johnson Orthodontics for guidance. A damaged bracket or wire may need to be repaired to keep treatment progressing properly.