Foods to Avoid
Guiding you through what
foods you can and cannot
eat during treatment
Eating Smart With Braces
The good news? You can still enjoy delicious food with braces! The key is knowing which foods to avoid and how to prepare foods safely. Following these guidelines will help you avoid broken brackets, stay comfortable, and keep your treatment on schedule.
Foods To Avoid
Hard Foods
Ice cubes and frozen treats
Hard candies and lollipops
Nuts and hard pretzels
Popcorn kernels
Hard taco shells
Sticky Foods
Caramel and taffy
Gummy bears and worms
Chewing gum
Licorice
Dried fruits
Crunchy Foods
Chips (Doritos, Cheetos, Fritos)
Crusty bread (like baguettes)
Pizza crusts (especially thick or chewy ones)
Sugary Food/Drink
Soda and sports drinks
Sweet tea
Candy
Desserts with lots of sugar
* These increase risk of cavities and staining around brackets
Food You Bite Into
Whole apples/pears/carrots
Corn on the cob
Whole pickles
Hard rolls or bagels
*You can still eat many of these, but you must cut them into small, bite-sized pieces
Great Alternative Food Choices
Soft fruits like bananas and berries
Steamed vegetables and salads
Soft grains like rice and pasta
Dairy products like yogurt and cheese
Lean proteins like fish and chicken
Smoothies and soups
Mashed potatoes
