Eating With Braces
For the most part, you can eat whatever you want while wearing braces, if you’re willing to take extra precautions with certain types of food and candy. Below is a helpful guide to keep you from breaking wires and brackets, which keeps you on track and limits the number of times you have to come see us for unscheduled care.
Enjoy These Foods
- Grains: Pasta or soft-cooked rice
- Dairy: Soft cheeses, pudding, and milk
- Bread: Any soft bread like tortillas, pancakes, or nut-free muffins
- Vegetables: Soft or cooked veggies like mashed potatoes, steamed spinach, or beans
- Fruits: Bananas, seedless berries, applesauce, fruit without pits, and sliced fruit
- Seafood: Any soft fish like tuna, salmon, or crab cakes
- Meat: Soft meats like lunch meat, meatballs, or soft-cooked chicken
- Desserts: Cake, milkshakes, ice cream, or Jell-O
Take Care Or Avoid These Foods
- Hard or Crunchy Foods: Popcorn, hard candy, nuts, or chips
- Sticky or Chewy Foods: Licorice, gum, caramel, or even bagels
- Foods That Are Difficult to Bite Into: Corn on the cob or whole apples or carrots
- Sugary Foods & Beverages: Any sodas or foods with lots of sugar
