Braces or no braces, Doleski & Wolford Orthodontics always recommends eating a well-balanced diet. But some healthy foods will need modified in how you eat them with braces. Cut hard foods like carrots or apples into smaller pieces. This makes them less a threat to your braces.
What You Can't Eat with Braces
If you have braces, it’s important to avoid certain foods that can increase your risk for cavities or damage your braces. Cut down on sweets, chips and soda. Sugary and starchy foods generate plaque acid and that can cause tooth decay and promote gum disease. Sticky, chewy sweets like gum, caramel and taffy can also cause wire damage and loosen brackets.
You should also stay away from hard, crunchy snacks like popcorn, nuts and ice cubes. Hard foods can break braces, which will slow down treatment.