Although sturdy, stable and advanced, braces are orthodontic appliances that you need to treat with care. That means eating foods that are gentle on the brackets and wires that hold your braces together and in place. Knowing what foods you can eat with braces is important. Generally, avoid all foods that are sticky, hard, or chewy. Soft foods are most recommended for those who wear braces because they are simply easier on your mouth hardware.
Read our list of foods to avoid as well as recommended foods for braces wearers below.
Foods to Avoid When Wearing Braces
Popcorn
Nuts
Hard taco shells
Sticky and hard candy
Gum
Ice
Corn chips
Pretzels
Hard cookies or crackers
Sticky or hard chocolate
Also avoid biting into hard foods with your front teeth. Cut or break up hard foods such as:
Raw vegetables
Croutons
French/Italian bread
Fruit
Hard rolls
Thin crust pizza
Meat
Burgers
Sub sandwiches
Corn on the cob
Recommended Foods When Wearing Braces
Hulless popcorn
Bananas
Yogurt
Light crackers or cookies
Cheese
Mashed potatoes
Melons
Grapes
Peanut butter and jelly
Ravioli, spaghetti, macaroni and cheese, and other noodle dishes
Maintaining a healthy, nutritious diet is important for everyone’s teeth and overall health. The healthier you are, the better the results of your orthodontic treatment because a proper diet provides all the essential nutrients to bones and tissues undergoing change.