If you have recently started wearing braces or are getting ready for your appointment to get one, you may be wondering, “What can you eat with braces?” At Central Coast Orthodontics, I have had countless patients come to me with this question while they have been in Santa Maria. Fortunately, there is good news, you will be able to eat many, but you will need to be careful about the ones you eat and how you eat them. Here is a quick overview to help you understand what you need to do when you wear braces.

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Changes When Wearing Braces

Getting braces on for the very first time makes your life different in several ways. You should realize that although you might continue eating your favorite foods, your diet should change for some period of time. Thus, you will face discomfort and pain when you start wearing braces, which means you will want to have something soft and gentle. But once you get through this stage, you will have to learn what foods you can consume and what food products you should avoid.

Hard Foods You Shouldn't Eat (And This Is Very Important!)

However, there is a certain food that is definitely to be avoided at all costs. In addition to being unpleasant for you personally, it may actually damage your braces! Some examples of such foods are:

• Hard candies (Jolly Ranchers, etc.)
• Corn chips (Hot Cheetos, Takis)
• Popcorn, especially kernels
• Beef jerky
• Ice cubes
• Nuts
• Hard pizza crust

Pizza can be either hard or soft, depending on its preparation method. For this reason, try to avoid harder pieces of pizza.

Sticky & Chewy Foods

Now for those foods that don't look like much of a problem at first, yet definitely are. Chewy or sticky foods frequently get stuck in braces, thus making them harder to clean and potentially inhibiting your teeth from moving as intended. Some examples include:

• Bubble gum
• Starbursts
• Caramels
• Tootsie Rolls
• Gummy bears and similar candies

If you can stretch, stick, or pull it, chances are that it is not the best choice when you have braces. As an additional note, try not to chew on any objects that aren't food-related as well.

So… What Can You Eat With Braces?

There's still a lot that you can eat with your braces that will be safe and tasty! Here are some foods you can enjoy:

• Rice, mashed potatoes, pasta
• Soft breads
• Scrambled eggs
• Yogurt, smoothies
• Steamed vegetables

They will be gentle on your braces and avoid stressing your teeth unnecessarily.

First Days After Your Braces

After receiving your braces, it is normal to have some sensitivity during the first few days of soreness. Here are some of the recommendations about foods to avoid in the first days: Sauces, Chips, Pasta, Popcorn. Also, as many of my patients noted, cold foods can provide comfort during the first days. Eating ice cream or smoothies can make a patient feel better. As the materials that we use are activated by the temperature, it will make you more comfortable.

Why Food Choices Matter More Than You Think

Perhaps you are asking yourself, “But then, what will happen if I accidentally eat the wrong thing?” Each time you cause a broken bracket or wire, you risk delaying the completion of your orthodontic care for a few days. This may result in increased visits to your orthodontist, additional time for braces, and overall complications. This is why you should be careful when eating. This is not just for your convenience; it is important that you complete your orthodontic procedures on time.

Oral Hygiene During Orthodontic Treatment

Let me repeat myself once again, food intake is important, but oral hygiene is equally important. Food debris can easily get stuck around your brackets. Failure to clean such debris may result in: Permanent white spots, Cavities, Periodontal problems. I always recommend brushing your teeth at least two times per day and using dental floss every day.

Invisalign

As the topic is related to food intake, it would be inappropriate not to make a note regarding the invisibility of Invisalign. Many people who come to our practice choose Invisalign because of one major reason: there are no restrictions on the consumption of certain foods because all you have to do is take out the aligners, enjoy your meal, clean the teeth, and put the aligners back on. Of course, using Invisalign requires some responsibility because you have to wear the aligners 22 hours a day, and each aligner is made to adjust your teeth in a unique way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I eat pizza with braces?

Soft, thin-crust pizza is usually fine once you're past the first few days. Skip thick, chewy crust and hard pepperoni edges, which can bend a wire or pop a bracket.

How soon can I eat normal food after getting braces?

Most patients are back to a normal diet within 3-5 days, once the initial soreness fades. Stick to soft foods (rice, pasta, scrambled eggs, smoothies) until chewing feels comfortable again.

Can I chew gum with braces?

No — even sugar-free gum is sticky enough to pull at brackets and wires and is one of the most common causes of an emergency repair visit.

What happens if I eat something I shouldn't?

A broken bracket or wire doesn't just mean discomfort — it can delay your treatment timeline and adds an extra visit to fix. If it happens, call our Santa Maria office and we'll get you in.

Do I have the same food restrictions with Invisalign?

No. Because Invisalign aligners come out to eat, there are no food restrictions — this is one of the most common reasons patients choose it over traditional braces.

Making Braces Work For Your Lifestyle

So, in case you are still unsure about what to eat with braces, here is your answer. Do not eat anything hard or sticky. Always choose soft foods when needed and continue to follow the basic principles of dental hygiene. This way, your braces will always remain intact and your dental treatment will proceed smoothly. You have to understand that this is just a temporary treatment required for making your life better forever.

Learn more about orthodontic care at Central Coast Orthodontics.