Skip to content 
Getting braces is an exciting step toward a healthier, more confident smile—but it also comes with a few lifestyle changes, especially when it comes to food. The good news? You don’t have to give up all your favorites. With a few adjustments, you can still enjoy tasty meals and snacks while keeping your braces safe and your treatment on track.
This guide breaks down the foods you can eat, the ones to avoid, and why following dietary guidelines is so important during your orthodontic journey.
Why Diet Matters With Braces
Braces use brackets, wires, and sometimes bands to move your teeth into better alignment. While these tools are strong, they’re not indestructible. Biting into the wrong food can damage the brackets or bend the wires—both of which can delay your treatment and require emergency repairs.
Certain foods also increase your risk of cavities and gum inflammation, which can interfere with the success of your orthodontic treatment. Keeping your teeth and braces clean starts with smart food choices.
What You Can Eat With Braces
There’s still plenty of delicious food on the menu when you’re wearing braces. The key is to choose softer textures and avoid anything that could pull on wires or get stuck in brackets.
Here are some braces-friendly foods that are safe and satisfying:
Dairy
- Yogurt — Soft and gentle on braces
- Cheese — Great source of calcium
- Milkshakes — A sweet, braces-safe treat
Grains
- Pasta — Cooked until soft
- Rice — Easy to chew and swallow
- Oatmeal — Gentle on teeth and gums
Fruits
- Bananas — Naturally soft and easy to eat
- Applesauce — A braces-safe alternative to apples
- Berries — Stick to softer ones like blueberries or raspberries
Vegetables
- Steamed carrots — Soft and nutritious
- Mashed potatoes — Filling and gentle on braces
- Cooked spinach or green beans — Easy to chew and digest
Protein
- Eggs — Scrambled or boiled are ideal
- Tender chicken or turkey — Avoid tough or chewy cuts
- Tofu or beans — Soft plant-based protein options
Treats (In Moderation)
- Pudding — A smooth and sweet dessert
- Ice cream — Avoid hard toppings like nuts or candy
- Soft baked goods — Muffins or cake without crunchy bits
Foods You Can't Eat With Braces
Some foods pose a risk to your brackets and wires, and others are difficult to clean out from around your braces. Avoiding these foods will help you avoid unnecessary trips to the orthodontist and stay on schedule with your treatment.
Sticky Foods
- Caramel — Can stick to brackets and be difficult to clean
- Chewing gum — Gets tangled in wires and sticks to hardware
- Taffy or gummy candies — Easily pull on brackets and damage appliances
Hard Foods
- Nuts — Can snap wires or dislodge brackets
- Hard candy — Even small pieces can cause breakage
- Popcorn — Kernels can get stuck and irritate your gums
Crunchy Foods
- Raw carrots — Too hard to bite into safely
- Chips or pretzels — Can bend wires or pop off brackets
- Hard taco shells — Crunchy texture poses a risk
Chewy Foods
- Bagels or crusty bread — Put too much pressure on your braces
- Steak or jerky — Tough to chew and can damage appliances
- Pizza crust — Avoid thick or crispy edges
Sugary Snacks
- Candy — Promotes plaque buildup and tooth decay
- Soda — High acidity and sugar content
- Sports drinks — Can wear down enamel around brackets
Tips for Eating Comfortably With Braces
Even safe foods can cause discomfort, especially right after you get your braces on or after an adjustment. These tips can help reduce irritation and make meals easier:
- Cut food into small pieces — This reduces pressure on your brackets
- Chew slowly and carefully — Take your time, especially with new textures
- Stick to soft foods after appointments — Yogurt, soup, and smoothies are ideal
- Rinse or brush after eating — Remove food particles to keep braces clean
What About Clear Braces or Aligners?
If you’re wearing clear aligners instead of traditional braces, you don’t have the same food restrictions—because you’ll remove your trays while eating. Still, you’ll need to clean your teeth thoroughly before putting your aligners back in to avoid staining and bacterial buildup.
For those with clear ceramic braces (which stay on your teeth), the same food rules apply as with metal braces. These brackets are strong but more prone to staining, so minimizing dark foods and drinks like coffee or red wine can help maintain their discreet appearance.
Long-Term Benefits of Avoiding Problem Foods
Sticking to braces-safe foods does more than prevent breakage. It also:
- Keeps your treatment on track — Fewer broken brackets mean fewer delays
- Protects your oral health — Reduces plaque buildup and gum issues
- Preserves appliance integrity — Wires and brackets stay aligned and effective
- Helps you build healthy habits — Great practice for post-treatment life
Final Thoughts
Braces are a temporary investment with a lifelong payoff, and adjusting your diet is a small but meaningful part of that process. By knowing what to eat (and what to avoid), you can keep your braces in great shape, minimize discomfort, and enjoy a smoother path to a healthier smile.
At Albrechtsen & Fanelli Orthodontics, we’re here to support every step of your journey. From personalized guidance to ongoing care, our team is committed to helping you succeed with your treatment.