Eating with Braces: Foods to Eat and Avoid for Smooth Treatment

Show off your new braces!

Now you have them, what’s next? Getting braces is a big step toward achieving the smile you’ve always wanted—but your journey doesn’t stop there.

While your braces work hard to realign your teeth, your food choices play a significant role in keeping things on track. Knowing the foods to eat and avoid with braces is essential to prevent discomfort and avoid damaging your brackets and wires.

Whether you’ve just started treatment or you’re a few months in, making the right choices can help you avoid delays and enjoy a smoother orthodontic experience.

Here’s your guide to eating with braces—what’s safe, what’s not, and how to properly care for your braces throughout your treatment.

Why Your Diet Matters When You Have Braces

Braces are durable, but they’re not indestructible. Biting into the wrong type of food can bend wires, loosen brackets, or trap debris that leads to tooth decay.

This not only disrupts your progress but may also add extra trips to the dentist.

Sticking to braces-friendly foods helps:

• Prevent breakages
• Minimise pain and discomfort
• Maintain good oral hygiene to keep the enamel and teeth clean and healthy during treatment.
• Ensure your treatment stays on schedule.

Foods to Eat and Avoid with Braces

Let’s break it down so you can confidently navigate your meals:

✅ Braces-Friendly Foods (Soft, Easy to Chew)

These foods are generally gentle on your teeth and braces, especially in the first few days after getting them or after adjustments.

• Soft fruits – Bananas, seedless watermelon, and ripe peaches
• Cooked vegetables – Carrots, spinach, broccoli (softened)
• Mashed potatoes and steamed rice
• Dairy products – Yogurt, soft cheese, and milk
• Eggs and tofu
• Pasta and noodles – Macaroni, spaghetti, lasagna
• Soft bread – Tortillas, pancakes, muffins (without nuts)
• Smoothies and protein shakes
• Soups and stews
• Peanut butter and jelly (smooth peanut butter)

Eating soft, nutritious food ensures you’re still getting the vitamins and minerals you need without stressing your braces.

❌ Foods to Steer Clear with Braces (Hard, Sticky, or Crunchy)

While some might be your favourites, these foods pose the highest risk of damaging your braces or getting stuck in hard-to-clean areas.

• Nuts – Hard and difficult to chew
• Ice – Biting down on ice cubes can crack brackets
• Popcorn – The hulls can get trapped and irritate gums
• Sticky and hard candies – Think toffee, caramel, or lollipops
• Chewy lollies or gum
• Corn chips and pretzels
• Hard cookies or biscuits
• Raw, crunchy vegetables – Like raw carrots or celery
• Whole apples or pears – Slice them into smaller pieces if you must

It’s best to avoid anything that requires forceful biting or can stick to your braces. These might not only slow down your progress but could also lead to emergency visits.

Tips for Eating Comfortably with Braces

Adjusting your eating habits doesn’t mean giving up flavour or fun. Here are some helpful tips:

• Cut food into small pieces – This reduces pressure on your teeth and appliances.
• Chew slowly and with your back teeth – It distributes force and reduces discomfort.
• Stay hydrated – Water aids in removing food deposits and cleaning up your mouth.
• Avoid biting directly into foods – Use forks and knives for sandwiches, pizza, and fruit.
• Rinse after eating – Helps dislodge food trapped around brackets or wires.

Stay Consistent with Oral Hygiene

Food easily gets caught in braces, so maintaining a strong cleaning routine is crucial. Brush after every meal, use interdental brushes, and floss daily to avoid plaque build-up or tooth decay during treatment.

And don’t forget—regular dental check-ups with your Cheltenham dentist will help you stay on top of both your braces and your oral health.

Braces Aftercare in Cheltenham

At Captivate Dental, we understand that getting braces is a lifestyle adjustment. We’re here to help you through every stage of your orthodontic journey—from explaining what foods to eat and avoid with braces to offering tailored dental care that supports your long-term smile goals.

If you’re unsure about what to include in your meals or feel discomfort while eating, we’re just a call away.

For more information, call us on (03) 9553 1249 or make an appointment online.

Visit us at 36 Chesterville Road in Cheltenham.