Jun 6, 2025

Your go-to guide for braces-safe foods

Name: L&L Orthodontics
Telephone: (03) 9650 0037

While your braces work their magic behind the scenes, what you eat can make a big difference to your comfort, oral health, and overall treatment time. The right food choices will protect your brackets and wires, while the wrong ones could cause breakages and delays. Here's what to enjoy and what to skip for a smooth, stress-free experience.

Braces-Friendly Foods

Soft, nourishing meals that are low in sugar and easy to chew are perfect while wearing braces. These help reduce the risk of damage and make eating a whole lot easier.

Best choices include:

Soft fruits – bananas, berries, or sliced apples and pears
Cooked veggies – think steamed carrots, mashed pumpkin, or roasted zucchini
Protein – soft meats (cut into small pieces), scrambled eggs, tofu, tender chicken, or fish
Dairy – yoghurt, milk, soft cheese
Carbs – bread (without seeds), rice, pasta, porridge, cooked grains
Smoothies & soups – delicious and gentle on your mouth, especially after adjustments

Pro Tip:

If you're eating foods like apples, raw carrots, or corn on the cob, please modify them:

Cut apples into thin slices
Grate or steam carrots
Cut corn off the cob

Eat Occasionally: "Sometimes" Foods

These are okay occasionally but can increase your risk of tooth decay or damage if eaten often. Enjoy in moderation and brush soon after.

Cakes, soft biscuits, ice cream, pies
Soft drinks, flavoured milk, fruit juices
Chips, pretzels, chocolate, jelly, soft lollies

Avoid These: Foods That Can Break Your Braces

Some foods can cause serious damage and breakage of your braces, leading to discomfort, extra appointments, and extended treatment time. Skip these until your braces come off.

Sticky foods – caramels, chewy lollies, dried fruit, chewing gum
Hard foods – nuts, pizza crust, raw carrots, ice, hard lollies
Crunchy snacks – popcorn, pretzels, hard chips
Sugary lollies – boiled sweets, sherbet
Non-food habits – chewing on pens, pencils, or fingernails

Watch Your Sugar Intake

Eating or drinking excessive sugar (like soft drinks, cordial, or fruit juice) can lead to decalcification—permanent white marks on your teeth—and decay. These drinks are acidic and erode the tooth surface, especially around brackets.

Good habits = great results.

By sticking to braces-friendly foods, brushing thoroughly, and attending your regular dental check-ups, you’ll be well on your way to a healthier, straighter smile. Have questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out either via Dental Monitoring or call us on (03) 9846 3111.

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