One of the first concerns patients have after getting braces is food. What can you still eat? What should you avoid? The good news is that the list of off-limits foods is shorter than most people expect, and with a little planning, life with braces barely disrupts your diet at all.
At MBraces, we counsel every patient at our Bristol, Rocky Hill, and Waterbury offices on this topic because protecting your braces from food damage is one of the simplest things you can do to keep your treatment on schedule. A broken bracket can set your progress back weeks.
Why Certain Foods Are Off-Limits
Orthodontic brackets are bonded to your teeth with dental adhesive — strong enough to stay in place through normal chewing, but not indestructible. Hard foods can snap brackets clean off. Sticky foods pull at brackets and wires, dislodging them or bending them out of position. Sugary foods and drinks that stay in contact with teeth — especially around brackets where cleaning is already more difficult — dramatically increase cavity risk.
Any of these outcomes means an unscheduled repair appointment, which interrupts your treatment schedule and adds time.
Foods to Avoid With Braces
Hard foods:
- Hard candies and lollipops
- Nuts and seeds
- Raw carrots and apples (cut into small pieces instead)
- Hard pretzels and bagels
- Ice (never chew ice)
- Corn on the cob (cut kernels off instead)
- Hard taco shells
- Pizza crust (the hard outer edge)
Sticky and chewy foods:
- Caramel and toffee
- Chewing gum (all types)
- Gummy candies
- Licorice
- Dried fruit
- Fruit roll-ups and gummies
- Peanut butter (sticky varieties)
Crunchy foods:
- Popcorn (kernels can wedge under wires and damage brackets)
- Hard chips
- Crunchy granola bars
Foods You CAN Eat With Braces
The safe list is far longer than the restricted list:
Proteins: soft-cooked chicken, fish, ground beef, eggs, soft lunch meats, tofu, beans
Dairy: yogurt, soft cheese, milk, smoothies, soft puddings and custards
Grains: pasta, soft rice, oatmeal, soft bread, pancakes, soft muffins and cakes
Fruits: bananas, berries, grapes (cut if large), melon, applesauce, fruit juice, peaches, pears
Vegetables: cooked (soft) broccoli, steamed spinach, mashed potatoes, roasted squash, cooked peas
Treats: ice cream (without nuts or hard mix-ins), milkshakes, Jell-O, soft cookies, cake, chocolate (avoid hard or caramel-filled varieties)
Tips for Eating With Braces
- Cut all hard fruits and vegetables into small, bite-sized pieces before eating
- Tear sandwiches and burgers into smaller pieces rather than biting directly in
- Always remove your aligners before eating if you are an Invisalign patient
- Rinse with water after every meal if you cannot brush immediately
- Carry a travel toothbrush for cleaning teeth after lunch or meals away from home
- If something breaks a bracket or bends a wire, call our office right away — do not wait for your next appointment
For more guidance on caring for your appliances, visit our Life With Braces page and our Brushing and Flossing guide. If you experience a broken bracket or wire, our Emergency Care page has step-by-step guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions — Food and Braces
Can I eat pizza with braces?
Soft pizza is generally fine — just avoid biting directly into a thick, hard crust. Tear the pizza into smaller pieces and chew on your back teeth. The sauce and cheese on most pizza are perfectly braces-safe.
Can I still eat at restaurants with braces?
Yes, absolutely. Most restaurant foods are fine — pastas, soft meats, rice dishes, soups, sandwiches on soft bread. Simply be mindful of very crunchy or sticky menu items and make substitutions when needed. Most patients find that braces barely affect their dining out experience after the first few weeks.
What if I accidentally eat something I should not have?
Check your braces carefully after the meal for any loose or broken brackets or bent wires. If everything looks intact, no action is needed beyond brushing thoroughly. If you notice anything has shifted or broken, call our office.
How long do food restrictions last?
Food restrictions apply for the entire duration of your treatment — until your braces are removed. Once treatment is complete, you can gradually reintroduce restricted foods. However, protecting the health of your teeth and appliances throughout treatment is worth the short-term restrictions.
Can I chew gum with Invisalign?
You should always remove your Invisalign aligners before chewing gum. Gum sticks to the aligners, distorts them, and makes them difficult to clean. Always remove aligners before eating or chewing anything.