There are braces-friendly foods, and your orthodontist will give you a thorough list, if requested.
While most of the recommended foods are softer, like eggs, oatmeal, mashed potatoes, and ice cream, you can also have lean proteins and most cooked or steamed vegetables.
Softer foods have the added benefit of being gentle on your already sore mouth. Chocolate is fine, and be sure to at least rinse your mouth 30 minutes after drinking coffee, to avoid staining.Â
You can chew gum with traditional braces, but not if you have an expander (the device used to widen the upper palate). The American Dental Association has an approved list of sugar-free gum that includes Eclipse, Extra, Ice Breakers Ice Cubes, Orbit, and Trident sugar-free gums, among others. Sugar-free gum can actually help keep your teeth cleaner, by increasing saliva in the mouth.Â
You’ll want to avoid nuts, popcorn, taffy, and hard or sticky candies. Skip the gummy candies, beef jerky, chips, and corn on the cob.Â
Some favorite foods are iffy. For example, if you eat pizza with a tough crust, it can damage your braces. You may need to cut a burger into small pieces, and steak may be tough or too hard on your jaw. If peanut butter is chunky or very sticky, don’t attempt to eat it.
RealSelf Tip: While eating apples and carrots whole may be off-limits, they’re fine to have if sliced into wedges or julienned.