At Sonneveld Orthodontics, our goal is to help every patient enjoy a healthy, confident smile throughout orthodontic treatment. Dr. Sonneveld and our experienced team provide personalized care along with the guidance you need to protect your smile between appointments. An important part of that care is understanding braces diet tips, including which foods can be enjoyed safely and which foods are best avoided.

When you have braces, your brackets and wires are designed to gradually move your teeth into proper alignment. However, certain foods can put unnecessary pressure on your orthodontic appliances.

Hard or crunchy foods may bend wires or loosen brackets, while sticky foods can become caught around your braces and be difficult to remove. Foods and drinks high in sugar can also contribute to plaque buildup and tooth decay, making good oral hygiene especially important during treatment.

Fortunately, eating with braces doesn’t have to be complicated. Being mindful of what you eat—and making small changes to how some foods are prepared—can help protect your braces and keep your treatment moving forward. Use the following guide to become familiar with some of the most common foods to avoid with braces.

Examples of

Foods to Avoid

Sticky Foods to Avoid

Caramels
Gum (regular or bubblegum)
Licorice
Starburst
Sugar Daddies
Toffee
Tootsie Rolls

Hard Foods to Avoid

Apples and carrots (unless cut into small pieces)
Bagels
Chips
Corn on the cob
French bread crust/rolls
Hard taco shells
Ice
Jolly Ranchers
Nuts
Pizza crust
Uncooked carrots (unless cut)

Minimize Sugary Foods, Like:

Cake
Candy
Cookies
Ice Cream
Pie

Eliminate or Reduce:

Drinks with sugar
Gatorade
Kool-Aid
Soda
Sweetened tea

It’s crucial to regularly check your braces for any bent or loose wires and brackets. If you notice a broken or misaligned wire or bracket, please call our office right away so we can schedule an appointment to make the necessary repairs.

Braces Diet Tips For

Protecting Your Smile

Knowing the foods to avoid with braces is only one part of keeping your smile healthy during treatment. When possible, choose softer foods that are easier to chew and place less pressure on your brackets and wires. Foods that are firm but safe when prepared differently, such as apples or carrots, should be cut into small, bite-sized pieces rather than bitten into directly.

It’s also important to keep your teeth and braces clean after eating. Food particles can collect around brackets and wires, so following the brushing and flossing instructions provided by our team can help keep your teeth and gums healthy throughout treatment.

Check your braces regularly for bent or loose wires and brackets. If something breaks or feels out of place, don’t try to ignore the problem. Review our orthodontic emergency information or contact our office so our team can determine whether an appointment is needed.

Get More Braces Diet Tips From Sonneveld Orthodontics

Following a braces-friendly diet can help prevent unnecessary damage to your appliances and keep your orthodontic treatment on track. While adjusting your eating habits may take a little time, making smart food choices becomes much easier once you know what to watch for.

If you have questions about braces diet tips, foods you should or shouldn’t eat, or caring for your braces between visits, Sonneveld Orthodontics is here to help. We proudly provide orthodontic care for patients from Orland Park, Tinley Park, Oak Forest, and surrounding communities.

Ready to begin your journey toward a healthier, straighter smile? Contact Sonneveld Orthodontics or request a consultation today.

PAtients

Foods To Avoid