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When you begin orthodontic treatment with braces, the brackets and wires play a big role in guiding your teeth toward a healthier, more confident smile. But while these appliances are strong, they’re not indestructible. One of the most important—and sometimes overlooked—parts of your treatment is what you eat.
Choosing the right foods can keep your brackets intact, your wires straight, and your treatment on track. At Sherman & Briscoe Orthodontics, we’ve worked with countless kids, teens and adults through braces treatment and seen the difference a smart diet can make.
Why Food Choices Matter With Braces
Braces apply constant gentle pressure to move your teeth. But certain foods can interrupt that process by:
- Bending or breaking wires
- Loosening or popping off brackets
- Getting stuck around hardware and increasing risk of cavities or white‑spot stains
When this happens, you may need emergency visits, repairs or even extended treatment time—none of which are fun or cost‑effective.
Foods to Avoid During Braces Treatment
Hard & Crunchy Culprits
These items require major bite force and risk buckling your braces:
- Whole nuts, especially almonds or cashews
- Hard candies (jawbreakers, lollipops)
- Ice cubes (chewing them is a common mistake)
- Bagels, hard rolls, thick‑crust pizza or crusty bread
- Corn on the cob (kernels on the cob apply pressure)
Sticky & Chewy Trouble‑makers
These sneaky options cling to braces, pull on wires, or get lodged between parts:
- Caramel, taffy, gummy bears, fruit‑chews
- Chewing gum (even sugar‑free)
- Licorice, toffee, sticky candy bars
Biting‑Into Foods That Cause Stress
Using your front teeth to bite into something tough is risky. Examples:
- Whole apples or pears (unless sliced)
- Raw carrots or celery chunks
- Ribs, chicken wings, meat on the bone
- Hard taco shells or crusty chips
High‑Sugar or Acidic Foods
These don’t break braces—but they create other problems: plaque, enamel erosion, white spots. Especially risky while wearing braces.
- Soda, sports drinks, sweet teas
- Sticky dessert toppings, sugary cereals
- Acidic fruit sauces, pickled veggies
Foods You Can Enjoy With Braces (and How to Make Them Safer)
Soft Fruits & Veggies
- Bananas, peeled peaches, melons, berries
- Steamed carrots, broccoli, zucchini
- Apples & pears: slice or cook them rather than biting whole
Grains, Pasta, and Soft Breads
- Cooked pasta, rice, soft tortillas or pancakes
- Muffins (without nuts or hard chunks)
Dairy & Soft Proteins
- Yogurt, cottage cheese, soft‑serve ice cream
- Tender chicken, baked fish, scrambled eggs, tofu
Here are a few extra tips for eating safely with braces:
- Cut tougher foods into smaller pieces
- Use back teeth rather than your front teeth for chewing
- Rinse or brush after meals to remove debris around brackets
How Smart Eating Protects Your Treatment Timeline
Every time a bracket breaks or a wire loosens, it can cause delays. That means more visits, more adjustments and potentially longer time in braces. By following a braces‑friendly diet you:
- Reduce unexpected repair visits
- Keep treatment moving consistently
- Avoid avoidable setbacks and extra costs
Real‑World Tips & FAQs
- Tip: Carry a braces‑safe snack when you’re out. Soft cheese, pre‑sliced fruit, yogurt cups.
- Tip: After eating sticky or sugary foods, rinse with water or brush as soon as possible.
- FAQ: Can I eat popcorn? Not the regular kind—kernels can get stuck and wires can bend.
- FAQ: Can I drink soda while wearing braces? Technically yes, but the sugar and acid still harm your teeth. Brush soon after.
Your Team at Sherman & Briscoe Orthodontics Is Here for You
Choosing to straighten your smile is powerful—but keeping your braces safe with diet is equally important. At our practice, we support patients of all ages with braces care experience rooted in thousands of successful smiles.
We’ll provide you with personalized guidance on diet, oral hygiene and daily habits so your treatment stays on course. We want you to achieve your best smile without unnecessary trouble.
Schedule your free exam today at Sherman & Briscoe Orthodontics and take one step closer to a healthier, confident smile—plus the tools to get there smoothly.