What foods you can and can't eat with braces
Getting new braces is kind of great, but it's also a huge adjustment. The pain of having all that metal attached to your teeth creates a whole load of new sensations in your mouth, and not all of them are pleasant.
Getting used to your braces is one part of it, but you're also probably wondering what you can eat with braces and maybe more importantly to you, what not to eat with braces to make sure your treatment is a success.
Rest assured, your diet won't change drastically overnight, but it is helpful to adjust the way you cook or eat certain foods while getting used to your braces and trying to maintain a balanced diet. It's also important that you adopt good dental hygiene so that your treatment goes as planned.
To help you figure out the foods to avoid and foods that you can still eat with braces, we've got a handy article so you know what to focus on.
Foods to avoid with braces
Whether you wear traditional metal braces, sapphire braces, ceramic braces or lingual braces, there are certain foods to avoid with braces.
Hard foods
First of all, any hard foodstuff, such as crunchy bread, popcorn, or ice cubes. Biting directly into a sandwich tends to put force on the brace or clear aligner. In addition to the pain and discomfort it can cause, you run the risk of detaching your brace if you have fitted metal braces. Clear braces offer the flexibility of being removable, but you can still run into problems if food gets lodged between your teeth if you eat hard food.
Raw and whole fruits and vegetables
You will need to be careful with some fruits and vegetables, such as apples, raw carrots, or corn on the cob, if you plan to bite directly into them. It is preferable to consume pre-cut pieces, or opt for cooked vegetables.
Sticky foods
Sweets, candies and gum will be your worst enemies while wearing braces. They will stick to the entire surface of the dental device, possibly damage it and make it difficult to clean.
Sugar
It is better to avoid sugar while you are wearing orthodontics, simply because dental hygiene is complicated by itself with braces, and sugar can bring about cavities.
Hard and fibrous meat and fish
They will be difficult to chew but also more difficult to clean. Fibrous products tend to catch between teeth and are more difficult to remove with braces.
Non-edible products
Avoid chewing on pens or other objects, or using your teeth to cut or open a container or package.
A roundup of the foods to avoid with braces
- Nuts
- Ice
- Tough Crusts
- Chewing Gum
- Crunchy snacks
- Pretzels
- Meat on the bone
- Whole apples
- Sweets
- Corn on the cob
What to eat the first week of having braces?
It's normal to feel some pain during the first few days after having your braces fitted, so here are some recommended foods to help get you through:
- Purees
- Soups
- Broths
- Yogurts
- Compotes or ripe fruits
- Boiled eggs
- Steamed fish
If you include a mix of veggies, you'll be able to maintain a balanced diet without over-stressing your teeth or feeling too much pain. For braces, soft foods are the best way of ensuring less pain and discomfort, from the very beginning of treatment through to the very end.
How to eat with braces?
A lot of people question how to cook and how to eat with braces. It is advisable to change the way of cooking to adapt all food to the orthodontic appliance. Therefore, it is better to consume cooked vegetables, pre-cut pieces and easy-to-chew foods. Some soft foods to eat with braces are:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Fish and meat without fibers
- Eggs
- Soft bread
- Cheese
- Starches such as pasta and rice
Invisible aligners with Impress: Orthodontics without food restrictions
Forget about food limitations and restrictions during your treatment. Invisible aligners have revolutionised the orthodontic market, not only because they are completely invisible, but also because they are removable and offer patients much more flexibility.
They are removed during meals so you can eat normally without worrying about damaging or staining the appliance. They also allow you to have better dental hygiene by brushing properly without being bothered by the metal of traditional braces.
Clear aligners are not only invisible, convenient and comfortable, but also one of the cheapest options on the market. At Impress, we offer different types of treatment depending on the complexity of your case.
We invite you to book a first consultation without obligation to discover how Impress invisible aligners work.
Updated: April 2025
FAQ's about food to avoid with braces
Can you drink fizzy drinks with braces?
You can drink fizzy drinks with braces, although, while fizzy drinks don’t threaten to dislodge or directly damage the braces, the high sugar content can lead to staining and plaque build-up.
Can you eat popcorn with braces?
Eating popcorn with braces can cause problems as the popcorn hulls can get stuck in the braces, and sweet popcorn can cause a separate problem, given the high sugar content.
Can you chew gum with braces?
You shouldn’t chew gum with braces as the sticky texture can get stuck in between the brackets and potentially dislodge bands or the more delicate parts of braces.
Can you eat crisps with braces?
You can eat crisps with braces if they have a soft texture while wearing braces, but you should avoid hard and crunchy crisps like tortilla crisps as these can put extra pressure on the brackets.
Can you eat chocolate with braces?
Yes, you can eat chocolate with braces, but try not to bite into it too hard to avoid undue pressure on the braces and make sure you only eat it in moderation.
Do I have to remove the inter maxillary elastics at lunchtime?
Yes, the elastics should be removed when eating and brushing your teeth. Then you will need to put on a new pair of elastics to keep them working properly.
Can you drink alcohol with braces?
You can drink alcohol with braces, as long as you maintain good oral hygiene.
