What can you eat, not eat with braces?

Always be mindful that braces are sensitive to damage, so you’ll need to avoid certain foods for as long as you have braces. 

The following are some of the frequently asked questions when it comes to what to eat and what to skip with braces on.

Can I eat almonds with braces?
Nuts are a type of food group that should not be eaten with braces on. Almonds are not only hard but they can also easily become stuck around the braces making it a real challenge for you to chew. If you still wish to eat almonds, then you can grind it and mix it in your milk and drink.

Can I eat apples with braces?
When you get braces, you have to give up some foods, including whole apples. Fortunately, you can still eat apples with braces. You simply need to eat them the right way. You can enjoy apples by cooking them, slicing them, removing peels, etc.

Can I eat bananas with braces?
Bananas are a healthy choice if you’re looking to suppress your hunger after having braces on. Make sure you choose bananas that are slightly brown, as they’re softer and will put less pressure on your teeth. The softer the banana, the easier it is going to be for you to chew.

Can I eat burgers with braces?
Yes, you can eat burgers with braces. But you will want to wait a few days before attempting eating a burger due to your teeth and gums being sore. During the orthodontic treatment, you have had a lot done to your mouth and you don’t want to irritate it any more. Make sure you avoid eating bread with seeds as the seeds tend to get stuck within the wires of the braces.

Can I eat cereal with braces?
It is always better to avoid hard crunchy cereals while wearing braces. However, you can continue eating oatmeal, rice cereal, cream-of-wheat, and other similarly soft cereals. Hard, crunchy cereals that you eat with milk are not safe to eat with braces on. Biting down on these hard cereals can put too much pressure on your braces causing them to bend, break, or come loose.

Can I eat chicken with braces?
While meat from a bone can cause damage to your braces, deboned meats such as chicken breast can be consumed with braces on. The only thing you need to keep in mind is to make very small pieces with the help of your hands and then take it inside your mouth. 

Can I eat chips with braces?
Yes, you can have chips with braces on but make sure you select the right chips for you. Baked chips and puffs are great chips options with braces. Always remember to eat one chip at a time so that you don’t accidentally damage your braces.

Can I eat chocolate with braces?
You can have chocolate with braces. However, this must be done in moderation, due to the high sugar content of chocolate. Whenever you crave chocolates, try to reach for dark chocolate, and avoid having milk chocolate varieties.

Can I eat Doritos with braces?
While having braces, you should avoid eating anything that is harsh or crunchy in the mouth or on the teeth. Chips such as Doritos are foods that can not only damage your braces, but also cause your braces to break.

Can I eat gum with braces?
It is always better to avoid having chewing gum with braces. Gum, whether sugarless or not, can negatively affect your braces. Gum is sticky and can easily get stuck in the braces that can cause even flexible wires to bend and adversely impact the effectiveness of your braces to straighten teeth.

Can I eat ice cream with braces?
Yes, you can have ice cream with your braces on. If the braces are freshly put, you might experience increased sensitivity to cold foods. Avoid biting into a frozen popsicle or crunching on the soft-serve cone. Instead, opt for ice cream you can consume with a spoon without letting it sit on the surface of your teeth. Once the sensitivity is gone, you will need to watch out for hard and crunchy toppings as they can damage the braces and teeth beneath them.

Can I eat lollipops with braces?
Lollipops are hard candy. Hard candy is not recommended during orthodontic treatments, and you should not have hard candy on a stick either. Sucking on the lollipop won’t damage the braces and is thus not off-limits, but biting on one definitely is.

Can I eat M&Ms with braces?
If you have your braces on and cannot resist chocolate, then you are in luck. M&Ms have a semi-hard shell with soft interiors, making it neither too chewy nor too hard. So yes, you can have M&ms with your braces on without worrying about any damage to your braces.

Can I eat Oreos with braces?
Oreos are hard cookies, and hard foods are off the chart. So if you are an Oreo fan, you might have to stay away for a while. You can always opt for soft cookies but make sure they do not have any nuts. Missing oreo too much? Dunk it in milk and have it as your soft cookie.

Can I eat pizza with braces?
You can have pizza with your braces on, but you might have to choose between some types. Go for a pizza with a soft crust and choose toppings that are easy to chew and small. Tough or thin pizza crust can be hard on braces and damage them. Also, clean your mouth thoroughly to get rid of pizza debris afterward. 

Can I eat popcorn with braces?
Popcorn is not recommended when you have your braces on. Why? Because the hulls get stuck under the braces and are often very difficult to remove. These hulls can also get wedged below the gums or between the teeth and are known to cause inflammation.

Can I eat Pringles with braces?
Hard and crunchy food is a no-no. So as a general rule, chips do not come recommended with braces. Pringles cut the slack to some extent because you do not have to chew hard, and pringles break into many pieces at the first bite. But, make sure you eat just one at a time so as not to put too much pressure on the braces.

Can I eat rice with braces?
Cooked rice is soft and can be consumed with braces on. However, keep in mind that rice is sticky too. So once you are done with your meal, make sure to rinse your mouth clean to get rid of leftovers stuck in your teeth. It will keep you safe from dental infections.

Can I eat a sandwich with braces?
Sandwiches are one of the most popular food options when it comes to children. The abundance of the possibilities of different combinations makes it a go-to meal. You can have a sandwich with your braces on. Choose soft bread and condiments that won’t stain. Also, eat slowly and take small bites to avoid any damage.

Can I eat watermelon with braces?
Yes, of course, you can eat watermelon with braces. It is one of the refreshing summertime snacks, which is also soft and easy to chew. Watermelon won’t cause any harm to your braces. But be careful to remove the seeds before consuming it.

Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!