So your child just got braces. Or maybe you got them yourself. Now comes the big question: what’s for dinner? Don’t worry, we hear this question every single day at Garlington Orthodontics. The good news is that patients with braces can still enjoy most of their favorite foods. There’s just a short list of things to avoid while those brackets and wires are doing their job.
Here’s our simple guide to eating well with braces, without any surprises.
The Short “Avoid” List
Some foods aren’t worth the risk. They can bend wires, pop off brackets, or get hopelessly stuck. We tell our patients to skip these until their treatment’s done:
- Hard foods like nuts, hard candies, ice, and crusty bread. Biting into something hard is the number one way to break a bracket.
- Sticky foods like caramel, taffy, gum, and gummy candies. These things pull at wires and brackets. They’re also a nightmare to clean out.
- Chewy foods like bagels, licorice, and thick pizza crust. These put repeated pressure on the wires.
- Crunchy foods like popcorn, chips, and hard taco shells. Little sharp pieces can get lodged under the wires and irritate the gums.
- Things you bite into like corn on the cob, whole apples, carrots, and ribs straight off the bone. The fix is simple: cut these foods up first.
The Long “Yes” List
Here’s what patients can eat without worry:
- Soft fruits like bananas, berries, oranges, and applesauce. If you want a whole apple, just slice it into thin pieces first.
- Cooked vegetables like steamed broccoli, green beans, and mashed potatoes. Raw veggies are fine too, just cut them into small, bite-sized pieces.
- Dairy like yogurt, cheese, and milk. Soft cheese is great. Hard cheese should be cut into small bits.
- Grains like soft bread, rice, pasta, oatmeal, and pancakes. Skip the super crusty artisan bread for now.
- Protein like tender meats cut into small pieces, eggs, tofu, and tuna salad.
- Treats like ice cream, pudding, milkshakes, and soft cookies. Just nothing hard or sticky mixed in.
Tips for Eating Out with Braces
Eating at restaurants or at a friend’s house doesn’t have to be stressful. Ask for your burger or sandwich cut in half, or even in quarters. Skip the corn on the cob and ask for corn kernels instead. Order soft tacos instead of crunchy ones. And always keep a small mirror or your phone’s camera handy to check for food stuck in your braces after the meal.
What If Something Breaks?
Even when patients are careful, accidents happen. A bracket can come loose. A wire can poke out.
Don’t panic. Call our office right away. We’ll get you in quickly to fix it. In the meantime, orthodontic wax can cover any sharp spots. We give wax to every patient at the start of treatment, and there’s always more at our front desk.
Keep Your Smile Strong
Braces are an investment in a healthy, beautiful smile. Protecting them with good food choices means fewer emergency visits and faster treatment time. That’s a win for everyone.
Most patients get used to the new eating habits within a week or two. After that, it becomes second nature. And when the braces come off? That first whole apple or piece of caramel corn tastes pretty amazing.
Got questions about a specific food? Just ask us at your next appointment. We’re always happy to help.