Eating with braces
In most situations, common sense will tell you what to avoid. Hard foods, sticky foods and foods high in sugar must be avoided. Hard foods can break or damage wires and brackets. Sticky foods can get caught between brackets and wires. Minimize sugary foods; they cause tooth decay and related problems. Nail biting, pencil and pen chewing and chewing on foreign objects should be avoided.
It's important to regularly check your braces for bent or loose wires and brackets. In the event of a loose or broken wire or bracket, call our office immediately to arrange an appointment for repair.
Softer foods keep braces safe
Most soft foods are perfectly fine during treatment — think yogurt, pasta, soft fruit and cooked vegetables. Just cut crunchy produce like apples and carrots into small pieces so a stray bite can't bend a wire or pop a bracket.
What to avoid — and what to limit
Hard foods can snap wires and pop brackets, sticky foods wedge into your braces, and sugary foods feed decay. Here's exactly what to skip — and what to enjoy only in moderation.
Sticky Foods to Avoid
- Gum (sugar-free or regular)
- Licorice
- Sugar Daddies
- Toffee
- Tootsie Rolls
- Caramels
- Starburst
Hard Foods to Avoid
- Ice
- Nuts
- Hard taco shells
- French bread crust / rolls
- Corn on the cob
- Apples & carrots (unless cut small)
- Bagels
- Chips
- Jolly Ranchers
- Pizza crust
Minimize Sugary Foods
- Cake
- Ice cream
- Cookies
- Pie
- Candy
Only Once a Day
- Soda
- Sweetened tea
- Gatorade
- Kool-Aid
- Drinks with sugar
Foods to avoid, answered.
Questions about eating with braces? Bring them to your next visit or a complimentary consultation — every initial exam includes time with the doctor.
Book a complimentary examWhat foods should I avoid with braces?
Avoid hard foods that can break wires and brackets (ice, nuts, hard taco shells, apples and carrots unless cut small) and sticky foods that get caught in braces (gum, caramels, toffee, Starburst, licorice).
Can I drink soda and sweet drinks with braces?
Limit sugary drinks like soda, sweetened tea, Gatorade, and Kool-Aid to only once a day, since sugar contributes to tooth decay during treatment.
What should I do if a wire or bracket breaks?
Regularly check your braces for bent or loose wires and brackets. If a wire or bracket comes loose or breaks, call our office immediately to arrange a repair appointment. See our emergency info page.
Related pages
Loose or broken wire?
In the event of a loose or broken wire or bracket, call your office immediately to arrange an appointment for repair.