Foods to Avoid with Braces
With braces, avoid hard foods (nuts, ice, hard candy), sticky foods (caramel, gum, taffy), and chewy foods (bagels, tough meat) that can bend wires or pop off brackets. Soft, braces-friendly foods are fine. Advanced Orthodontics Everett gives every patient a clear list so treatment stays on track.
Braces do great work, but they need a little help from your menu. Certain foods can bend wires, loosen brackets, and slow your progress, while plenty of delicious options are perfectly safe. Here is a simple guide for our patients across Everett and Mill Creek to keep your braces and your treatment on track.
What Foods to Avoid?
- Hard foods: nuts, ice, hard candy, popcorn kernels, raw carrots
- Sticky foods: caramel, taffy, chewing gum, gummy candy
- Chewy foods: bagels, hard rolls, tough or chewy meat
- Crunchy foods: chips, hard pretzels
- Foods you bite into: corn on the cob, whole apples, and ribs (cut these into pieces instead)
These foods are the most common cause of a broken bracket or a bent wire, which can delay your treatment.
What Foods Can You Enjoy?
Plenty of foods are braces-friendly, especially soft ones:
- Yogurt, soft cheeses, and smoothies
- Pasta, soft-cooked rice, and well-cooked vegetables
- Bananas, berries, and applesauce
- Eggs, fish, and tender, cut-up meats
- Soft breads, pancakes, and mashed potatoes
A Few Smart Tips
Cut crunchy fruits and vegetables into small pieces, take smaller bites, and chew with your back teeth instead of biting with your front teeth. Right after an adjustment, when your teeth are most tender, stick to softer foods for a day or two while everything settles. These small habits go a long way toward avoiding a broken bracket or bent wire, which can add time to your treatment. For more on keeping your braces healthy, see our caring for braces guide.
Questions About Your Treatment? Call Us in Everett
We are happy to answer any questions about life with braces. Call Advanced Orthodontics Everett at (425) 745-6322 or request a visit online. Proudly serving Everett, Mill Creek, Lynnwood, and the surrounding communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
We know you may have questions about orthodontic care and what to expect along the way. This section offers clear, straightforward answers to help you understand how treatment works and how we support you through each step. It’s an easy way to learn more before your first visit and feel confident about your smile journey.
Can I chew gum with braces?
It is best to skip gum. Sticky foods like gum can pull at brackets and wires, causing damage. Once your braces come off, you can enjoy it again.
What happens if I eat something I should not?
Sometimes nothing, but hard or sticky foods can loosen a bracket or bend a wire. If that happens, see our emergency care guide and call us so we can fix it and keep your treatment on schedule.