Foods to Avoid As a Braces Wearer

Don’t Let The Food You Eat Set Your Treatment Back!

Braces are an investment in your smile, and protecting that investment starts with what you eat. At Abari Orthodontics and Oral Surgery, we want every patient in our orthodontics in San Dimas practice to enjoy smooth, on-schedule treatment. One of the easiest ways to do that is by learning which foods to avoid while your braces are doing their work.

Why Keeping Track of Foods to Avoid Can Help Your Treatment

Most of the foods to avoid with braces fall into three categories: hard foods, sticky foods, and sugary foods. Hard foods can bend wires or snap brackets right off your teeth, which means an unplanned trip to our office and a delay in your treatment timeline. Sticky foods get caught between brackets and wires, where they are difficult to remove and can pull appliances loose. 

Sugary foods and drinks aren’t likely to damage your braces directly, but they raise your risk of tooth decay and gum problems, especially when sugar residue sits around brackets for hours at a time. Knowing these foods to avoid ahead of time can save you discomfort, extra appointments, and unnecessary stress.

Sticky Foods and Drinks to Avoid

Sticky foods are some of the biggest culprits when it comes to loose or damaged braces. Steer clear of:

• Gum, both sugar-free and regular
• Licorice
• Caramels
• Toffee
• Tootsie Rolls
• Starburst
• Soda
• Energy drinks

These foods cling to brackets and wires, and pulling them free can dislodge your appliances or leave behind residue that’s tough to brush away.

Hard Foods to Avoid

Hard, crunchy foods put direct pressure on your brackets and wires and are common causes of broken appliances. Foods to avoid in this category include:

• Ice
• Nuts
• Hard taco shells
• French bread crusts and crusty rolls
• Corn on the cob
• Whole apples, unless cut into small pieces
• Bagels
• Chips
• Jolly Ranchers and other hard candy
• Pizza crust
• Uncooked carrots, unless cut into small pieces

If you’re craving something in this category, look for a softer alternative or cut the food into small, manageable pieces before eating.

Sugary Foods and Drinks to Minimize

While not always an immediate threat to your brackets and wires, sugary foods and drinks should be kept to a minimum throughout treatment. Watch your intake of:

• Cake
• Ice cream
• Cookies
• Pie
• Candy
• Sweetened tea
• Gatorade
• Kool-Aid
• Other sugary drinks

Sugar left sitting on and around your braces feeds the bacteria that cause cavities and gum irritation, so if you do indulge, brush soon afterward.

Other Habits to Avoid

Food isn’t the only concern. Nail biting, chewing on pens or pencils, and chewing on other foreign objects can also damage your braces. These habits put the same kind of stress on your appliances as hard foods do, so it’s worth breaking them while you’re in treatment.

Checking Your Braces Regularly

Make it a habit to check your braces for bent or loose wires and brackets, especially after eating something you weren’t sure about. Catching a problem early can prevent it from turning into a bigger issue. If you notice a loose or broken wire or bracket, call our office right away so we can get you in for a repair before it affects your treatment progress.

FAQ About Foods to Avoid with Braces

What happens if I accidentally eat something I shouldn’t have?

Don’t panic. Check your braces for any obvious damage, like a bent wire or a loose bracket. If everything looks intact, simply return to your normal care routine. If something feels off, call our office so we can take a look.

Can I ever eat hard or sticky foods again during treatment?

Some hard foods can be modified rather than avoided entirely. Cutting apples, carrots, or corn off the cob into small pieces lets you enjoy them safely. Sticky foods like gum and caramel are best avoided completely until your braces come off.

Will avoiding these foods really make a difference in my treatment time?

Yes. Broken brackets and loose wires often mean extra appointments to fix the damage, which can slow your progress. Sticking to the foods to avoid list helps keep your treatment on schedule.

Is it okay to drink soda if I use a straw?

Using a straw can reduce contact with your braces, but it doesn’t eliminate the sugar exposure to your teeth overall. It’s best to limit sugary drinks like soda, energy drinks, and sweetened tea throughout your treatment.

Questions About Your Diet with Braces? Reach Out to Us

Every patient’s treatment is a little different, and if you have questions about specific foods or run into a braces emergency, our team at Abari Orthodontics and Oral Surgery is here to help. We’re proud to provide trusted orthodontics in San Dimas, and we want to make sure your journey to a straighter smile stays as smooth as possible from start to finish.