What Can You Eat With Braces? Find Out What’s Safe

So, you just go with braces. Maybe your mouth feels a little sore, or you’re wondering what you’re now supposed to eat. Maybe you are just scared to break something on day one. We understand that wearing braces can be a lot, but the good news is that you can still eat. You just need to know what’s safe and what to avoid. 

You might be feeling anxious, maybe even annoyed, but don’t worry, we’ve got you. This is not one of those robotic dental articles, no. This is your real, raw, easy-to-follow guide to eating with braces. 

So let’s break it down:

Firstly, Can You Eat With Braces?

Let’s clear the air now, before we go any further. YES. You don’t have to live a life of soup and misery, you can eat while wearing braces. But here is the catch to it, you need to eat differently. 

Braces will change how you eat, but you can still enjoy food, just in a braces-friendly way. 

Rules for eating with braces:

1. Cut everything into small, chewable pieces
2. Use your back teeth, not your front ones
3. Chew slowly and gently
4. Rinse or brush your teeth after every meal to avoid food getting stuck
5. Avoid anything hard, crunchy, or sticky

But over time, you’ll get used to it. Eating will become easier and normal. Braces just teach you how to be mindful, and being mindful is not a bad thing, hey. 

What Can You Eat With Braces in the First Week?

The first week after getting your braces is all about healing. Your mouth is sore, your teeth feel like that metal wire is pulling them together, and the last thing you want is to be into something that makes it worse. 

So your first week, you need to go soft, like baby soft. So here is a simple, straight-forward list of things you can eat during your first week:

Best Food to eat first week:

• Mashed potatoes
• Smoothies (no seeds and straws)
• Yogurt
• Oatmeal
• Applesauce
• Scrambled eggs
• Creamy soups
• Mac and cheese

Eating these types of foods won’t protect your braces, but they’ll also keep your stomach full without causing pain. You might look at this list and think, “Is this all I can eat?” The answer is Yes and No. This list is meant to show you the types of foods that are safe to eat with braces, mainly focusing on soft, non-sticky, and non-hard options.

Here’s a Bonus Tip: 

Keep it lukewarm. Hot foods can make sore teeth feel worse, and cold foods like ice cream can feel soothing but might be too cold for some people. Go with what feels right for you. Also, don’t skip meals just because you’re in pain. Eating those soft foods will help you heal faster and feel better sooner. 

Foods You Can Eat With Braces 

We’ll quickly double down here on the YES food that you can eat with braces on, and to make it easier for you, we’ll also add another breakdown that’s easy to reference:

Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner	Snacks	Desserts
Oat meal	Mac and Cheese	Mashed potatoes and gravy	Smoothies	Ice cream (with no nuts or candy)
Pancakes (no crunchy edges)	Rice Bowls	Baked fish	Applesauce	Pudding
Scrambled eggs	Soft tacos	Pasta with sauce	Banana bread	Custard
Yogurt with soft fruit	Creamy soups	Steamed veggies and rice	Cottage cheese	Soft cakes

Foods You Can’t Eat With Braces

Let’s take a look at the foods you should avoid while wearing braces: 

• Nuts (too hard)
• Popcorn (husks + kernels = disaster)
• Gum (sticky)
• Hard bread (bagels, crusty rolls)
• Ice (just don’t chew it)
• Hard candy
• Caramel
• Jerky
• Raw crunch veggies (unless their cooked or finely chopped)

Try by all means to avoid these because they are braces-killers. Actually…AVOID them at all costs. 

Soft Foods to Eat With Braces

When you have braces on, you should eat soft things. Especially during your first month or after adjustments. So here’s a list of the best soft things you can eat:

• Avocado (mashed or sliced)
• Baked sweet potatoes
• Overcooked pasta (not mushy though)
• Soft rice with sauce
• Applesauce
• Pudding and sugar
• Tofu
• Jello
• Soft-cooked beans

Soft soes not mean boring, ease them up, add sauces, and make them tasty. After all that pain, the least thing your mouth deserves is flavour. 

Snacks to Eat with Braces:

Having braces doesn’t mean you have to skip your favorite snacks. Choose soft, easy-to-chew options that won’t damage your braces or get stuck in your wires. Here’s a list of tasty, braces-friendly snacks to enjoy without the worry!

• Yogurt
• Smoothies (without seeds or straws)
• Mashed Potatoes
• Mac and Cheese
• Bananas & Soft Fruits
• Scrambled Eggs

Can You Eat Chips With Braces?

We get it, chips slap, but when you have just got your braces, they can be your worst enemy. So why should you avoid chips?

• They are hard and crunchy
• Their sharp edges can snap wires or crack brackets
• Tiny pieces get stuck between your braces
• Flavoured chips leave residue that’s tough to clean

But we also understand that you might get a craving for something crunchy, so what you choose to eat instead:

• Try baked potato chips, but let them soften in your mouth first
• Choose puffy chips like Cheese Puffs
• You can also try veggie straws or soft rice crisps

But remember, eat slowly and break them into smaller pieces, because if you don’t, you are just creating a recipe for a visit back to the orthodontist, and trust us, you don’t want that. 

Can You Eat Pizza With Braces?

Now this is a question we get more often than you think. And the answer is exactly what you think it is…Yes. But not just any pizza. You still need to skip that hard, crusty slice with crunchy bacon on top. Instead:

• Eat soft-crusted pizza (or homemade)
• Avoid hard toppings like sausages or peppers
• Cut it into small pieces
• Chew slowly with your back teeth, please

This might sound like we’ve ruined the whole excitement and joy of enjoying pizza, but trust us, the experience of coming in to get your braces replaced because of a stubborn cut…it’s not worth it. Just go soft and easy with it. 

Can You Eat Popcorn With Braces?

Nope. Sorry, but popcorn is a hard pass. So why exactly can’t you eat popcorn with braces? Simple:

• They can break a bracket with only one bite
• They also have husks, which can get stuck in wires
• One bite of them can cause a broken bracket

Even those “popped” pieces can have hard parts hiding in them, so don’t even chew on them. The best piece of advice is to entirely skip popcorn while you have braces, it’s not worth the risk. So save that movie night snack for your braces-free celebration day. 

Instead, you can try:

• Soft cheese puffs
• Rice cracker (if they are soft)
• Puffed corn snacks

Can You Eat Gum With Braces?

Maybe you’ve seen your friend or a stranger chew gum and they had braces on, and wondered if that gum would get tangled in those wires, well, guess what…

It does, so gum is not a good idea. It is sticky, stretchy, and seriously bad for braces. It can pull your wires, loosen your brackets, and get in places you’ll never reach, even when cleaning. Even “sugar-free” gum is a problem. 

Instead, try:

• Sugar-free mints
• Chewing on soft ice chips
• Flavoured water with lemon or cucumber

Looking for more tips on healthy teeth? Check out this guide!

Can You Eat Chocolate With Braces?

Again, this is a popular question that is always asked. And the answer is YES. But again, not all chocolate is for you to munch on. You just have to avoid chocolate with caramel, covered with nuts, or just crunch bars.

The trick is simple, don’t bite into it, let it melt on your tongue. 

Can You Eat Gummies With Braces? 

Sadly, you can’t. Gummies are bad news for braces. They are sticky, stretchy, and can easily get stuck or tear your wires loose. Even those “soft” ones can turn hard while chewing (they are designed that way).  It’s not worth the risk. 

So you can do the same here, save the gummy bears for your post–braces party. You’ll appreciate then way more later.

Can You Eat Steak With Braces?

Here’s the thing, steak is a bit tricky. It’s chewy, tough, and can be a challenge, especially if your teeth are sore. But if you want to eat it, you must make sure you:

• Choose a soft, tender cut like a filet mignon
• Cut it into tiny bites
• Chew slowly and carefully
• Avoid any gristly or fatty parts

But you know what’s better than small cut boxes of steak? Shredded beef or a slow-cooked version of it. It’s way easier to handle, and tastes better even (personal opinion here)

Can You Eat Cookies With Braces?

Cookies are acceptable, but not all of them are meant for consumption. If you have braces, then you eat soft cookies. You can also eat soft cookies while wearing braces if they are:

• Chewy chocolate chips
• Soft oatmeal
• Baked at home (slightly underdone is best)

If you want to still eat cookies while you have braces on, though, stay away from these:

• Biscotti
• Crunchy store-bought cookies
• Cookies with nuts or hard fillings

Here’s a small hack for you: microwave a cookie for 5-10 seconds to make it gooey and soft. It’s a game changer!

For more tips and professional advice on braces care, check out the American Association of Orthodontists.

Finally: What Can You Eat With Braces?

By now, you might be feeling overwhelmed, disappointed, or even angry because of what you’ve read about what to and not to eat. But let’s simplify it for you. Here is a list of safe, easy things that you can eat with braces:

1. Anything soft
2. Anything not crunchy, sticky, or chewy
3. Anything that does not make your teeth hurt

Eating with braces can feel exciting if you just keep experimenting. Feel free to blend, mash, and bake. Don’t still take a blind bite out of it. 

If you’re dealing with dental issues in Orange County, CA, visit Orange Premier Dental today! Our team is here to provide expert care and support. Call us now to schedule an appointment and get the help you need for a healthier smile!