With fixed braces, avoid hard, sticky and chewy foods such as popcorn, nuts, hard sweets, toffee, chewing gum, ice and crusty bread because they can damage brackets or wires. Whole apples, carrots and corn on the cob should be cut into small pieces rather than bitten directly. Cut other foods small and chew with your back teeth.
Key takeaways
- Avoid foods that are hard enough to break a bracket or bend a wire.
- Avoid sticky and chewy foods that can pull on brackets or become difficult to clean away.
- Cut apples, carrots, tough meat and other foods that need direct biting into smaller pieces.
- During the first week, choose softer foods while your mouth adjusts, then reintroduce suitable solid foods as comfortable.
- If you are wearing Invisalign, remove the aligners to eat. The food restrictions on this page are mainly for fixed braces.
Foods you can’t eat with braces
The simplest rule is to avoid foods that are hard, sticky, very chewy or require forceful biting with the front teeth. Fixed brackets and wires can handle normal eating, but repeated pressure from the wrong foods can loosen or damage the appliance.
Hard and crunchy foods
- Hard foods can place sudden force on a bracket or wire. Avoid biting directly into popcorn kernels, nuts, hard sweets, ice and very hard or thick crisps.
Sticky and chewy foods
- Sticky foods can pull on fixed braces and are harder to clean away. Avoid chewing gum, toffee and other very sticky sweets.
Tough meat and crusty bread
- Tough foods are easier to manage when they are cut into small pieces. Cut steak and other tougher meat rather than pulling or biting through it with the front teeth, and avoid very hard crusts if they put too much force on the braces.
Sugary and acidic foods and drinks
- Sugary and acidic foods and drinks need extra care because fixed braces create more areas where plaque and food can collect. Fizzy drinks should be limited, and you should rinse with water afterwards.
Foods you should cut up first
- Whole apples, carrots and corn on the cob should not be bitten directly with fixed braces. Slice or cut them into smaller pieces first.
Quick food guide
| Food | Why to take care | Safer approach |
| Popcorn | Hard kernels can damage brackets and get trapped | Avoid |
| Nuts | Hard and crunchy | Avoid whole hard nuts |
| Hard sweets / toffee | Hard or sticky; can damage or pull on braces | Avoid |
| Chewing gum | Sticky and can wrap around brackets/wires | Avoid |
| Whole apples / carrots | Direct front-tooth biting puts pressure on brackets | Slice into small pieces |
| Corn on the cob | Requires direct biting | Cut the food from the cob first |
| Steak / tough meat | Tough and needs strong biting | Cut small and chew with back teeth |
| Crisps | Some varieties are very hard and crunchy | Choose thin crisps broken into small pieces; avoid very hard varieties |
What can you eat with braces?
You can still eat a wide and varied diet with fixed braces. The safest foods are those that are naturally soft, cooked until tender, or easy to cut into small pieces so they do not require hard biting with the front teeth.
Soft fruits
Soft fruits such as bananas, blueberries, grapes, kiwi, melon, ripe peaches, mango and strawberries are easy to eat with braces. Firmer fruits such as apples and pears can still be eaten, but slice them first instead of biting into them whole.
Cooked and soft vegetables
Cooking vegetables until tender makes them much easier to manage with fixed braces. Cooked carrots, broccoli, green beans, courgette, sweet potato, butternut squash, peas and spinach can all fit comfortably into a braces-friendly diet.
Dairy products
Soft cheeses, milk and yoghurt are easy options because they need very little force to chew. Avoid adding hard or crunchy toppings that turn an otherwise soft food into something that could put pressure on the brackets.
Eggs and protein
Eggs, flaky fish, tofu, beans and lentils are soft protein choices. Chicken and turkey are easier when cooked until tender and cut into smaller pieces. Be more careful with steak, pork chops and other tough meats that need stronger chewing.
Grains, pasta and bread
Softly cooked pasta, rice, quinoa, couscous and noodles are braces-friendly. Choose softer breads and cut tougher sandwiches into manageable pieces rather than biting through very crusty bread with the front teeth.
Soups, smoothies and soft meals
Soups, smoothies, mashed potato, soft pasta, scrambled eggs, porridge and tender fish are especially useful during the first few days after braces are fitted or adjusted, when the teeth can feel more sensitive than usual.
Treats and occasional indulgences
Ice cream, mousse, soft cake and plain soft chocolate can be enjoyed in moderation. Avoid hard, sticky or nut-filled versions, and clean around the brackets carefully afterwards because sugary foods can sit around the appliance.
What to eat with braces the first week
During the first week, choose softer foods while your teeth and the inside of your mouth adjust to the braces. The aim is to avoid unnecessary pressure on teeth that may feel tender after fitting.
- Days 1 to 3: choose soft foods that need little chewing, and cut everything into small pieces.
- Days 4 to 7: if the teeth feel less tender, gradually add suitable solid foods that are easy to chew and do not place pressure on the brackets.
How long after getting braces can you eat solid food? You can eat suitable solid foods as soon as they are comfortable, but many people prefer softer foods for the first few days while tenderness settles.
Can you eat these foods with braces?
Can you eat crisps with braces?
Yes, but choose carefully. Choose thin crisps such as Quavers broken into smaller pieces, while avoiding harder options such as Pringles, Kettle Chips and tortilla chips.
Can you eat chocolate with braces?
Yes, if the chocolate is soft and does not contain hard or very sticky pieces. Let it soften rather than biting through hard refrigerated chocolate, and clean the teeth and braces afterwards.
What sweets can you eat with braces?
Choose sweets that are not hard, sticky or chewy. Avoid hard sweets, toffee and anything that can pull on the brackets. Products such as Haribo and very chewy sweets should be treated as sticky foods rather than a safe braces snack.
Can you eat popcorn with braces?
No. Popcorn kernels and hard pieces can damage fixed braces and can become trapped around the appliance. Choose a softer snack instead.
Can you eat pizza with braces?
Yes. Cut pizza into smaller pieces and chew with the back teeth. Avoid very thick or hard crusts if they require strong biting.
Can you eat McDonald’s with braces?
Yes, with a few adjustments. Cut burgers into quarters, fries are generally easier to manage, cut nuggets into smaller pieces, and choose a McFlurry without hard pieces mixed through it.
Can you eat steak and meat with braces?
Yes, but tough meat should be cut into small pieces. Avoid tearing meat with the front teeth and chew with the back teeth instead.
Can you drink fizzy drinks with braces?
Limit fizzy drinks. Use a straw where appropriate, rinse with water afterwards, and remember that dark-coloured drinks can also stain around ceramic brackets.
Can you eat ice cream with braces?
Yes, but avoid hard cones and nutty or crunchy toppings. If your teeth are sensitive after an adjustment, very cold foods may also feel uncomfortable.
Can you chew gum with braces?
No. Chewing gum is sticky and can become wrapped around fixed brackets and wires.
Can you eat apples, carrots and corn on the cob with braces?
Yes, but not by biting directly into them. Slice apples and carrots into small pieces. Cut food from the corn cob before eating it.
Can you eat biscuits with braces?
Softer biscuits are easier to manage than very hard or crunchy biscuits. Break them into smaller pieces rather than biting through a hard biscuit with the front teeth.
Can you eat nuts with braces?
Avoid whole hard nuts with fixed braces because they can place too much force on brackets and wires.
Can you eat pasta, rice and noodles with braces?
Yes. Pasta, rice and noodles are generally easy to eat with fixed braces when cooked normally. Take care with very hard, crunchy additions and clean around the appliance after eating.
How to eat with braces
A few simple habits make eating with fixed braces easier:
- Cut food into smaller pieces before eating.
- Chew with the back teeth instead of biting hard foods with the front teeth.
- Eat slowly so you can notice anything that feels too hard or difficult to chew.
- Rinse with water after meals to help dislodge food around brackets.
- Carry a travel toothbrush when you are away from home so you can clean food from around the braces.
What if you break a bracket or wire eating?
If a bracket or wire breaks while you are eating, stop eating anything hard and check whether anything is loose or causing irritation. Do not try to pull a wire or bracket off yourself. See our emergency dental treatment service.
If the broken appliance is uncomfortable, contact the practice for advice. If you have severe pain, significant swelling, trauma or another urgent dental problem, use the practice’s emergency dental service.
Do the rules change for different braces?
Yes. Food rules depend on the appliance you are wearing.
- Metal braces: follow the fixed-braces food rules in this guide.
- Ceramic braces: follow the same rules as fixed metal braces and be aware that strongly coloured foods and drinks can contribute to staining around the appliance.
- Lingual braces: because the brackets sit behind the teeth, you still need to avoid hard and sticky foods that may damage the appliance.
- Twin block braces: the appliance is removable for eating, so follow the instructions given by your orthodontic team about when to remove and replace it.
- Invisalign: remove the aligners before eating. Once the aligners are out, there are no brace-related food restrictions, although you need to clean your teeth before putting the aligners back in. See our guide to eating and drinking with Invisalign.
Eating with braces for children and teens
Children and teenagers often need to manage braces at school lunches, parties and sports. The same basic rule applies: avoid hard and sticky foods, cut tougher foods into smaller pieces, and make sure there is a way to clean around the braces after eating. See our guide to starting braces young during school holidays.
For school lunches, choose foods that can be cut or eaten without hard biting. At parties, skip popcorn, hard sweets, toffee and chewing gum. For sports, follow the orthodontist’s advice on protecting the teeth and braces.
The Cosmetic Dental Gallery also provides Invisalign First for children, which can be removed for eating.
| Considering fixed braces? Explore metal and ceramic braces in Greenwich & Battersea and book a consultation to discuss the right option for you. |
Frequently asked questions
What can’t you eat with braces in the first week?
During the first few days, avoid hard, sticky and chewy foods and choose softer meals while your teeth settle. Soups, yoghurt, smoothies, scrambled eggs, soft pasta and mashed potato are useful options until tenderness eases.
Can you eat chocolate with braces?
Yes. Plain, soft chocolate can be eaten in moderation. Avoid chocolate containing toffee, caramel, hard centres or nuts because those additions can damage brackets or wires.
Can you eat pizza with braces?
Yes. Cut pizza into smaller pieces and take care with the crust. Very hard or chewy crust should be avoided or left rather than bitten through with the front teeth.
How long do I need to follow a braces diet?
Follow the fixed-braces food rules for the full duration of treatment. As your mouth gets used to the appliance you can eat a broad diet, but hard and sticky foods remain a risk to brackets and wires until the braces are removed.
What should I do if a bracket comes off after eating something I should not have?
Stop eating anything hard, avoid putting more pressure on the area and contact the practice. The team can advise whether you need an appointment to repair the bracket or wire. Seek urgent advice if there is significant pain, trauma or swelling.
Is it true that foods you can’t eat with braces include healthy options like apples and carrots?
No. Apples and carrots do not have to be removed from your diet. The important difference is how you eat them: slice or cut them into small pieces instead of biting directly into a whole apple or raw carrot with the front teeth.
How long after getting braces can you eat solid food?
You can eat suitable solid foods as soon as they feel comfortable, but softer foods are usually easier for the first few days after fitting or adjustment. Reintroduce suitable solid foods gradually as the tenderness settles.
Can I eat with wax on my braces?
Orthodontic wax is used to cover a bracket or wire that is rubbing the mouth. Follow the instructions from your orthodontic team about using it around meals and replace it when needed if it becomes loose or contaminated.
Do I need to change my diet with clear aligners?
Clear aligners such as Invisalign are removed for eating, so the fixed-braces food restrictions do not apply while the aligners are out. Remove them before eating and follow your orthodontic team’s cleaning instructions before putting them back in.
Need help with braces in Greenwich or Battersea?
The Cosmetic Dental Gallery provides fixed metal and ceramic braces and other orthodontic options in Greenwich and Battersea. If you are unsure whether a food is safe, or you have damaged a bracket or wire, contact the practice for advice. Explore our metal and ceramic braces or Invisalign aligners.
Greenwich: 260 Creek Road, Greenwich, London, SE10 9SW. Phone 0203 883 8180.
Battersea: 20 Patcham Terrace, Battersea, London, SW8 4EY. Phone 0208 090 3959.
About the clinical reviewer
Dr Ciara Gabrielle Ennis — Specialist Orthodontist | BDS (Hons), MFDS, DClinDent, MOrth | GDC 245642.
Clinically reviewed: September 2026.