Braces-Friendly Foods
TIPS TO HELP YOU AVOID BREAKS & UNPLANNED OFFICE VISITS
You’ve probably heard from friends and family members who have worn braces that you won’t be able to eat some of your favorite foods while you’re in treatment. That’s true – if your favorite food is hard candy:-). Truth is – you can eat most anything as long as you avoid anything that might cause you to lose a bracket, break a wire, or get tangled up in goo. Here’s a simple, helpful guide to help you avoid any issues. Feel free to print this list out and put it up on the fridge. If you find you are having trouble with your braces due to a food item, you can visit our After Hours Care page for some great tips.
Foods to AVOID with braces:
• Chewy foods — bagels, licorice, gummy candy, jerky
• Crunchy foods — popcorn, corn chips, ice
• Sticky foods — caramel candies, chewing gum (sugar-free gum is okay)
• Hard foods — nuts, hard candies, pizza crust
• Foods you have to bite into — corn on the cob, apples, carrots (cut in
pieces or cooked are okay)
• Sugary foods and drinks – minimize high sugar foods like soda and candy
Food you can ENJOY with braces:
• Dairy — soft cheese, pudding, milk-based drinks
• Bread — soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins without nuts • Grains — pasta,
soft cooked rice
• Meats/poultry — soft cooked chicken, meatballs, lunch meats
• Seafood — tuna, salmon, crab cakes • Vegetables — mashed potatoes,
steamed spinach, beans
• Fruits — applesauce, bananas, sliced fruit, most berries (but watch out for
seeds)
• Treats — ice cream without nuts, milkshakes, Jell-O, cake
