What Foods Should You Avoid With Braces?
Why Do Certain Foods Damage Braces?
Braces work by applying gentle pressure to your teeth over time. The brackets, wires, and bands that make up your braces are strong, but certain foods can still cause problems. Hard foods can break brackets or bend wires. Sticky foods can pull brackets off your teeth or get trapped under wires. Chewy foods can loosen bands and create uncomfortable situations.
When your braces get damaged, you might need extra appointments to fix them. This can make your treatment take longer than expected. Our team uses advanced digital 3D technology to create the perfect treatment plan for you. Protecting your braces by avoiding problem foods helps ensure you finish treatment on time with the best results.
What Hard Foods Should You Avoid With Braces?
Hard foods are the biggest threat to your braces. These foods can snap wires, pop off brackets, or even crack the special cement that holds brackets to your teeth. Here are the main hard foods you need to skip during your orthodontic treatment:
- Ice cubes (even if you love chewing ice)
- Hard candy like lollipops, jawbreakers, and peppermints
- Nuts in their whole form, including almonds, cashews, and peanuts
- Popcorn kernels (the unpopped ones are especially dangerous)
- Hard pretzels and chips
- Raw carrots and apples (you can eat these if you cut them into small pieces)
- Corn on the cob (cut the kernels off first)
- Hard cookies and crackers
- Pizza crust that is extra crispy or hard
What Sticky and Chewy Foods Cause Problems?
Sticky and chewy foods grab onto your braces and do not let go easily. These foods can pull brackets right off your teeth or get stuck in hard-to-clean places. This creates a perfect spot for bacteria to grow, which can lead to cavities or white spots on your teeth.
Foods to avoid:
- Caramel and caramel candies
- Taffy, toffee, and gummy candies
- Chewing gum (even sugar-free gum)
- Gummy bears and worms
- Starbursts and similar chewy candies
- Licorice
- Bagels (unless cut into very small pieces)
- Dried fruit like raisins and fruit roll-ups
Can You Eat Crunchy Snacks With Braces?
Crunchy snacks might seem harmless, but many can cause real damage to your braces. The key is knowing which crunchy foods are safe and which ones you should avoid. Thin, crispy foods usually break apart easily and are safer than thick, hard crunchy foods.
You should stay away from thick tortilla chips, hard taco shells, and kettle-cooked potato chips. Regular potato chips are usually okay because they dissolve quickly. If you are unsure about a snack, ask yourself if it would hurt your teeth if you bit down on it wrong. If the answer is yes, skip it while you have braces.
What About Sugar and Acidic Foods?
While sugar and acidic foods might not break your braces, they can damage your teeth during treatment. When you have braces, it is harder to clean your teeth completely. Sugar feeds the bacteria in your mouth, and these bacteria make acid that attacks your tooth enamel. Acidic foods and drinks do the same thing.
Try to limit sodas, sports drinks, energy drinks, and fruit juices with lots of sugar. If you do drink these, use a straw and rinse your mouth with water afterward. Sticky sugary foods like caramels are double trouble because they stick to your braces and feed bacteria for a long time.
Are There Safe Foods You Can Enjoy?
The good news is that there are plenty of delicious foods you can safely eat with braces! Soft foods are your best friends during orthodontic treatment. These foods will not damage your brackets or wires, and they are usually easier to clean from your teeth.
Great food choices include:
- Soft fruits like bananas, berries, and melon
- Cooked vegetables that are tender
- Pasta, rice, and soft bread
- Eggs cooked any way you like
- Yogurt, pudding, and ice cream
- Soft cheeses
- Chicken, fish, and ground meat
- Pancakes and soft waffles
- Mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes
How Should You Handle Food During Braces Treatment?
Following a few simple rules will help you protect your braces and enjoy a wider variety of foods. First, cut hard foods into very small, bite-sized pieces. Second, chew slowly and use your back teeth instead of biting with your front teeth. Third, avoid biting directly into foods like sandwiches or burgers (cut them into smaller pieces instead).
Our orthodontic team gives you detailed instructions during your first visit. We want to make sure you understand how to care for your braces and what foods work best for your treatment. Whether you are a teen balancing an active lifestyle or an adult improving your smile, we provide the support you need.
What Happens If You Accidentally Eat the Wrong Food?
Accidents happen, and you might forget about a problem with food or try something new without thinking. If you eat something that damages your braces, stay calm and call our office right away. We have convenient locations in both Elmhurst and Downers Grove to serve you.
Check your braces carefully in a mirror. If a bracket comes loose, a wire breaks, or something feels sharp or uncomfortable, contact us for an appointment. Our team can usually fix these problems quickly. The sooner you call, the sooner we can get your treatment back on track.
Food Categories: Quick Reference Guide
Food Category | Examples to Avoid | Safe Alternatives |
Hard Foods | Ice, nuts, hard candy, popcorn | Soft crackers, seedless grapes, chocolate |
Sticky Foods | Caramel, gum, taffy, bagels | Soft bread, smooth peanut butter |
Crunchy Foods | Hard chips, taco shells | Soft chips, soft tortillas |
Whole Fruits/Veggies | Apples, corn on cob, raw carrots | Applesauce, cut vegetables, soft cooked veggies |
Chewy Foods | Licorice, beef jerky, gummy candy | Tender meat, soft candy alternatives |
Quick Overview: Foods and Braces
What damages braces: Hard, sticky, and chewy foods can break brackets, bend wires, and extend treatment time.
Top foods to avoid: Ice, nuts, popcorn, hard candy, caramel, chewing gum, taffy, hard chips, and whole raw vegetables.
Safe eating tips: Cut food into small pieces, chew with back teeth, avoid biting with front teeth, and brush after meals.
Why it matters: Protecting your braces helps you finish treatment faster and prevents extra appointments for repairs.
What we offer: We provide braces, SureSmile clear aligners, retainers, early orthodontic treatment, and surgical orthodontics for patients of all ages.
Getting help: Call our Elmhurst or Downers Grove office if you damage your braces or have questions about safe foods.
Start Your Smile Journey the Right Way
Choosing the right foods during your orthodontic treatment makes a huge difference in your results. We are committed to helping you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile through personalized care. Our team serves families in Elmhurst, Downers Grove, and surrounding Illinois communities with advanced treatment options including traditional braces, clear braces, and SureSmile clear aligners.
Call us today to schedule your FREE consultation! Discover why patients trust us for the best orthodontic care in Elmhurst and Downers Grove. Your perfect smile is waiting, and we will guide you every step of the way.