What to Eat (and Avoid) When Wearing Braces
- Jul 2, 2025
- 2 min read
Maintaining a balanced diet is essential for oral health, especially when you're wearing braces. During orthodontic treatment, your teeth, gums and the braces themselves become more sensitive and vulnerable to damage. Knowing what to eat – and what to avoid – can help prevent discomfort and broken brackets, while also supporting better long-term results.
What You Should Eat with Braces
Choosing soft, easy-to-chew and nutrient-rich foods can help reduce pain and keep your braces intact.
Mashed potatoes
Soft and comforting, mashed potato is an ideal option, especially during the first few days after adjustments.
Natural yoghurt
Rich in calcium and probiotics, yoghurt is gentle on the teeth and supports a healthy oral microbiome.
Soups and broths
Warm, nutritious and easy to eat without much chewing effort.
Scrambled or boiled eggs
A soft, versatile source of protein – great for light yet complete meals.
Fish (like salmon or hake)
Soft and nutritious, fish is a great alternative to red meat, which may be tougher to chew.
Cooked or puréed fruit (like apples or pears)
Avoids the hardness of raw fruit while preserving the vitamins and flavour.
Well-cooked rice and pasta
Soft, easy to chew, and an excellent base for balanced meals.
What You Should Avoid with Braces
Avoiding certain foods is key to preventing damage to the braces, tooth decay, or unnecessary discomfort during your orthodontic treatment.
Caramel and hard sweets
Sticky and hard to remove, these can damage brackets and increase the risk of cavities.
Nuts (almonds, walnuts, etc.)
Too hard and crunchy – they can dislodge brackets or cause discomfort when chewing.
Popcorn
Unpopped kernels can get stuck or break parts of your braces.
Raw apples or raw carrots
Should be avoided whole; if consumed, they must be cut into very small pieces or cooked.
Chewy sweets and gummy candies
Sticky and sugary, they’re difficult to clean and harmful both to your braces and oral health.
Hard or crunchy bread (like toast or cornbread)
It may seem harmless, but it requires extra force to chew and can displace parts of the braces.
Fizzy and sugary drinks
Acidic and sugar-rich, they promote enamel erosion and can cause staining around the brackets.
Adopting simple dietary care can make a huge difference to the success of your orthodontic treatment and your daily comfort. For personalised advice, always speak to your dentist.
