Braces, for many, symbolize a transformative journey toward a perfect smile. Yet, alongside the excitement of this new path, it is normal to wonder how it will affect your ability to eat the foods you like. “Will I have to bid farewell to my favorite candy bar? Will popcorn at the movies now be a distant memory? 

The truth is that you will need to make some adjustments to your diet to ensure your orthodontic treatment is successful. However, you might be surprised to learn that you can still enjoy many of your favorite foods. You might even discover new foods you like and healthier eating habits along the way!

Ask anyone who’s been through the braces journey, and they’ll likely tell you that every bite adjusted, every treat postponed, is all worth it for that final reveal. So to help keep you on track, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) has created this helpful guide for what you can, can’t, and shouldn’t eat with braces.

Why Does it Matter What I Eat with Braces?

Braces consist of delicate components. While designed to withstand typical wear, some foods can compromise or damage them. Each time a bracket breaks or a wire comes loose, it can set your treatment back.

Aside from protecting orthodontic appliances, certain foods increase the risk of oral health issues when particles become trapped. This is because braces add all kinds of nooks and crannies to your mouth that aren’t there naturally, and can be a little more difficult to clean.

What You Can’t Eat with Braces

While embracing your journey to a healthier smile, there are certain foods you’ll want to avoid completely. Anything hard, sticky, or difficult to bite into can pose a risk of broken appliances and prolonged treatment. These foods can damage brackets, dislodge wires, or lead to other complications:

• Hard Candy: A risk to both braces and teeth.
• Sticky Candy: Taffy, caramel, and the like can adhere stubbornly to braces and may cause brackets to loosen.
• Popcorn: Those kernels are braces’ worst enemy and easily get caught in brackets and wires.
• Nuts: Their hard nature poses a direct risk.
• Crunchy Veggies/Fruits: When uncooked, there’s a risk they can break brackets when you bite into them.
• Pizza Crust: Especially when it’s crispy and hard.
• Bagels or Hard Rolls: Their density can be a challenge.
• Chewy Cuts of Meat: Make sure to cut meat into bite-sized pieces before eating it to avoid stressing brackets and wires
• Ice: Crunching is a definite no-go with braces.
• Snack Chips & Pretzels: Any kind of hard or crunchy food may cause your bracket to break or cause damage to your wires.

Foods That Are Always Safe for Braces

New braces often equate to a sensitive mouth. If you can eat normally, that’s great; it can help your sore teeth feel better faster. If not, you may want to try eating soft, gentle foods that help minimize discomfort as your teeth adjust:

• Oatmeal: This comforting choice isn’t just soothing; it’s a nutritional powerhouse.
• Scrambled Eggs: Easy to chew, they offer the protein your body craves.
• Soups: Warm, comforting, and varied.
• Pasta: Opt for softer-cooked shapes.
• Seafood: Particularly fish varieties that flake easily.
• Soft Vegetables: Steamed or boiled, they’re packed with vital nutrients.
• Mashed Potatoes: Creamy, filling, and utterly comforting.
• Pizza: In general, this is soft enough to eat with braces. Just make sure to get pizzas with softer crusts.
• Soft Cheeses: Delicious, calcium-rich, and perfect for those with braces.
• Bananas: A great option for those undergoing treatment with braces.
• Berries: Packed with nutrients, many berries make a great snack choice that’s both sweet and easy on brackets and wires.
• Yogurt: Creamy and versatile, perfect for any time of the day.
• Chocolate: You don’t need to give up this sweet treat with braces. Most chocolates are soft enough to be eaten without issue.
• Ice Cream: Cold treats are not only comforting, but the cold also helps relieve some of the pressure caused by the wires.

10 Essential Tips for Eating with Braces

Embarking on your orthodontic journey can be an exciting experience. Yet, it brings along a set of nuances, especially regarding your diet. Adjusting to eating with braces doesn’t have to be daunting. Here are some expert-approved tips to make the process smoother and more comfortable:

1. Start Small: Initially, cut your food into small pieces. This minimizes the need to bite directly with your front teeth, which can be sensitive or risky with new braces.
2. Go Soft: Opt for softer foods right after tightening your braces. Think mashed potatoes, yogurts, and smoothies. These foods require less chewing and put minimal pressure on your braces.
3. Sidestep Stickiness: Sticky foods can adhere to your braces, making it challenging to clean them.
4. Chew with Care: Slow down and chew your food gently. Braces can be delicate, and aggressive chewing might dislodge a bracket or distort a wire.
5. Beware of Crunch and Crisp: Hard foods might damage the brackets or wires. It’s best to cook, steam, or bake these to a softer consistency or cut them into manageable slices.
6. Swish and Rinse: After eating, swishing water around your mouth is beneficial to dislodge any food particles stuck in or around your braces. This prevents plaque build-up and staining.
7. Invest in the Right Tools: Carry a travel toothbrush or invest in a water flosser. Brushing and flossing can be a lifesaver, ensuring your braces remain clean, especially after meals.
8. Stay Hydrated: Drinking water throughout the day helps keep you hydrated and keeps your mouth clean. It helps rinse away food debris and acidic residues.
9. Listen to Your Orthodontist: Your orthodontist will provide specific guidelines about avoiding foods and ways to take care of your braces. Their advice is based on years of experience and knowledge, so it’s essential to follow their recommendations.

Ready for Braces? Find an AAO Orthodontist!

Getting braces requires a few lifestyle changes to get the most out of your treatment. But hopefully, this guide has reassured you that your diet won’t change too much. You can still enjoy many of the foods you normally eat, just with a little extra preparation. Yes, some snack foods may be off-limits while you have braces, but many alternatives are just as satisfying. You may even embrace healthier eating habits as a result!

Ready to achieve and maintain that perfect smile? Find a dedicated AAO orthodontist near you and get the expert care you deserve.

The post What Can I Eat with Braces? A Comprehensive Guide appeared first on American Association of Orthodontists.

Braces diagram

This diagram below illustrates and names the parts of a typical set of braces.

A. Ligature The archwire is held to each bracket with a ligature, which can be either a tiny rubber band or a twisted wire. B. Archwire The archwire is fastened to all of the brackets and creates force to move teeth into proper alignment. C. Brackets Brackets are bonded directly onto each tooth. The archwire is held in place by a series of brackets. D. Molar Bands A metal band with a bracket attached is wrapped around select molars for additional anchorage. E. Bracket with Hook and Ball Hook Hooks and ball hooks, each attached to a bracket, are used for the attachment of rubber bands (elastics), which help move teeth toward their final position. F. Rubber Bands Rubber bands (elastics) are used to temporarily connect brackets between the upper and lower jaw to add force for additional tooth movement.

How often will we see the orthodontist?

Visits to the orthodontist to adjust braces or to pick up new aligners, at which time your orthodontist will evaluate the progress of treatment and assess the health of the teeth and gums, will be scheduled about every 6 to 10 weeks.

How long will treatment last?

The length of treatment is different for each patient because each patient has a unique problem. Your AAO orthodontist will give you an estimated length of treatment.   Here are five tips to make your treatment go as quickly as possible:

• Follow your orthodontist’s instructions on the frequency of brushing and flossing, and see your dentist for a professional cleaning at least every six months during orthodontic treatment, or more often if recommended.
• Watch what you eat if you have braces. Certain food textures, such as crunchy and sticky, can damage braces.  Please consult a nutritionist about food choices if you are struggling with an eating disorder/disordered eating. If unsure, soft and easy to chew foods are go-to options. If you have aligners, be sure to remove them before you eat or drink anything besides tap water, and put them back in after you’re done eating or drinking and you have thoroughly cleaned your teeth.
• Sugary, acidic soft drinks including regular and diet soda pop, fruit juices, fruit drinks and sports drinks can damage braces/aligners. Tap water is recommended.
• If prescribed, wear your elastics (rubber bands) as instructed.
• Keep scheduled appointments with your orthodontist.

What do I do if a bracket or wire comes loose, or if I misplace an aligner?

If a bracket or wire comes loose, or if you lose or break an aligner, let your orthodontist know right away. Broken braces cannot deliver the right forces to move your teeth, and that could prolong treatment. Aligners  should be worn in a particular sequence. Your orthodontist is the best person to call for advice about next steps, and to advise whether a lost aligner will extend your treatment time.

We have a special event coming up – can braces be removed?

Discuss this with your orthodontist. But be aware that premature removal of braces may not be in your best interests for a stable, functional result from orthodontic treatment.

We won’t need to see the dentist during orthodontic treatment, right?

It’s critical that you continue seeing your family dentist during orthodontic treatment. Your dentist will provide professional cleanings and check-ups, and like your orthodontist, will keep an eye on oral health. Visit your dentist at least every six months during orthodontic treatment, or more often, if recommended.

Do braces cause discomfort?

There can be some initial discomfort when braces are placed, or for a short time after braces are adjusted, but this is temporary. Overall, orthodontic discomfort is short-lived and easily managed. Once patients become accustomed to their braces, they may even forget they have them on.

How much work/school will we miss?

There may be some time away from work or school during your orthodontic treatment, but your orthodontist will do his/her best to minimize it. If you have braces, the longest appointments will be to place and remove your braces, and will likely be scheduled during the work day. Appointments to adjust braces or pick up a new set of aligners, scheduled every 6 to 10 weeks, are usually short.

How often should you brush?

Your orthodontist will give specific instructions, but in general, you should brush for two minutes after every meal or snack, and before bed. Carry a travel toothbrush and small tube of toothpaste with you so you can brush when you’re away from home. Bring along floss and an interproximal brush, too. If you’re in a pinch and absolutely are not in a position to brush after eating or drinking  at the very least rinse with plain water. It can help you get rid of some food particles or traces of beverages

What kind of toothpaste should you use?

Fluoride toothpaste is recommended, approved by the American Dental Association, preferably without any whitening.

How often should you floss?

A minimum of once a day.

I don’t like to floss.

Flossing is crucial to successful orthodontic treatment, and to on-going oral health. Flossing removes plaque from parts of your teeth that brushing alone can’t reach. Plaque is the enemy – it’s the source of disease processes in teeth and gums.

Why is all this brushing and flossing necessary?

Brushing and flossing keep teeth and gums clean by removing plaque and food debris. When plaque and trapped food are left on the teeth and around braces, the outcome can be cavities, swollen gums, bad breath and permanent white marks on the teeth. Maintaining good oral hygiene helps to minimize your time in treatment, and contributes to a healthy result.

Manual toothbrush or a power toothbrush?

Use the toothbrush that works best for you. Make sure you brush for two minutes each time you brush! Change the toothbrush or power toothbrush head at the first sign of wear, or at least every three months.

Are there other tools we can use to help with oral hygiene?

Here are three handy oral hygiene tools:

• Interproximal brushes – these are great at dislodging plaque and food particles trapped between teeth, and to clear out debris that catches on brackets and wires.
• Water irrigators – these can flush out food particles in a jif!
• Fluoride mouth rinse – whether over-the-counter or prescription strength, a daily fluoride rinse can strengthen tooth enamel and help prevent white marks (decalcification).

Your orthodontist may suggest dipping an interproximal brush in a capful of fluoride rinse to deliver fluoride protection between the teeth, or using a fluoride rinse instead of water in an irrigator.

What can you eat with braces?

A healthy, diverse diet supports the body as it undergoes the biological changes that occur during orthodontic treatment. You are encouraged to enjoy a variety of healthful, easy-to-chew foods during orthodontic treatment. Soft or liquid foods like soups, stews, casseroles, pasta, scrambled eggs, and smoothies can be eaten as usual. Fresh fruits like apples and pears, should be sliced rather than bitten into. Softer foods that require biting into, such as sandwiches and pizza should be cut into bite-sized pieces before eating. Cut corn off the cob before serving.

What can’t you eat?

Foods that are hard, sticky, crunchy or chewy that cannot be modified to easily eat without getting stuck should be avoided for the duration of treatment as they may damage braces/brackets. Examples include foods such as hard pretzels, hard pizza crust, crusty bread, taco chips, caramels, popcorn, licorice, taffy, suckers, hard candies or mints and nuts.

What about drinks?

Tap water and milk are your best choices for drinks while braces are on. Beverages like coffee, tea and red wine can stain teeth. Try to avoid these, or keep them to a minimum. Avoid regular and diet soft drinks when wearing braces. These drinks include soda pop, sports drinks/energy drinks, flavored bubbly waters and fruit drinks (juices, punch). These drinks contain acids and/or sugars that dissolve tooth enamel and can lead to cavities. Be sure to brush right away after drinking a soft drink. If brushing is not possible, rinse thoroughly with water.

What can you eat with aligners?

A healthy diet supports the body as it undergoes the biological changes that occur during orthodontic treatment. You are encouraged to enjoy a variety of healthful foods during orthodontic treatment. Just be sure to take your aligners out before you eat, and before you put them back in, clean your teeth thoroughly.

What can’t you eat?

Nothing is off-limits. Just be conscious of the need to take out aligners to eat, and to clean your teeth before putting your aligners back in.

What about drinks?

Tap water is the only beverage that is safe to drink when your aligners are in. When wearing your aligners, avoid everything except tap water. You can remove your aligners to drink anything other than tap water. You’ll need to brush your teeth before putting your aligners back in. Except for tap water, remove aligners when drinking. After drinking, brush right away before putting your aligners back in.

Are there orthodontic emergencies?

Occasionally things happen to braces or aligners during orthodontic treatment. They may require a call or an unforeseen visit to the orthodontist – what your orthodontist will consider an “emergency visit.”

Will we have to see the orthodontist?

Whether you will need to be seen by the orthodontist will depend on what has happened to your appliance. Contact your orthodontist’s office to explain the problem and determine if you need to be seen.

When does the orthodontist need to know something has happened?

If you notice a bracket is loose or if a wire has worked itself out of place, or if there is unusual discomfort, notify your orthodontist.

Are there things I can do at home to treat discomfort?

Keep supplies on hand to address possible situations. Here are six suggestions:

• Orthodontic wax.
• Dental floss.
• Tweezers.
• Interproximal brushes.
• Topical anesthetic (such as Orabase or Ora-Gel).
• Over the counter pain relievers (such as one taken for a headache).

A warm salt water rinse can be soothing, as well (1 tsp. salt to 8 oz. warm water).

Can sports be played during orthodontic treatment?

Yes. But talk to your orthodontist about the type of mouth guard to wear.

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