What Foods Should You Avoid With Braces?

Starting orthodontic treatment is an exciting step toward a healthier, more confident smile. But as your smile transforms, it’s important to be mindful of what you eat to protect your braces and smile goals. 

At Rousseau Orthodontics, Dr. Abby Rousseau and her caring team are dedicated to making your journey as smooth, and as delicious, as possible. Knowing which foods to avoid with braces is one of the first steps toward a stress-free experience and a beautiful result. Let’s explore what to skip and why it matters.

Sticky, Chewy, and Gummy Foods

Sticky snacks can be some of the biggest troublemakers for anyone undergoing orthodontic treatment. These types of foods can easily get lodged in braces, making them difficult to clean and increasing the risk of cavities. Worse, they can damage the braces themselves by pulling on wires and brackets. Common culprits include:

• Caramel candies and toffee
• Chewing gum (even sugar-free varieties)
• Gummy bears and fruit snacks
• Taffy and other chewy sweets

These foods tend to stretch and get stuck in hard-to-reach places, sometimes resulting in loose brackets or shifted wires that require extra visits. At Rousseau Orthodontics, we aim to limit these interruptions by helping you make smart food choices from day one.

Crunchy and Hard Foods

Crunchy snacks and hard foods may seem innocent, but they often pose one of the most immediate risks to your appliance. Biting down on the wrong item can pop a bracket loose or bend your wires out of shape. 

In a personalized treatment environment like ours, we're always here to help if you damage your braces, but we'd rather you avoid the inconvenience altogether. Try to avoid the following:

• Popcorn (especially the unpopped kernels)
• Hard pretzels or chips
• Nuts and granola bars
• Ice (chewing it is a common habit that can be surprisingly damaging!)

As a local Baton Rouge practice with a single location and solo provider, Rousseau Orthodontics offers continuity of care and flexibility for any needed repairs, but we know you'd prefer fewer disruptions to your routine.

Foods You Need to Cut or Bite Differently

Not all foods need to be off-limits. Occasionally, it’s just about changing the way you eat them. Large, crunchy, or dense foods should be cut into smaller, bite-sized pieces to avoid putting unnecessary pressure on your braces. 

This simple adjustment can protect your appliances and keep your treatment on track while still allowing you to enjoy some of your favorite foods. For safer eating, try these tips:

• Cut apples and pears into thin slices
• Slice bagels and crusty bread into bite-sized pieces
• Remove corn from the cob before eating
• Slice meats like steak into small, manageable pieces

Dr. Abby Rousseau and her team believe in empowering patients with knowledge and simple techniques that make life with braces easier. Personalized tips like these are part of our full-circle care approach, focused not just on today, but on your results long-term.

What Can Happen If You Eat the Wrong Foods?

Eating the wrong foods with braces doesn’t just risk damaging brackets or wires, it can slow down your progress, stretch out treatment time, and even pose a risk to your dental health. 

When brackets come loose or wires get bent, your teeth can’t move as planned, which may lead to extra appointments and added frustration. Here’s what’s at stake:

• Delayed treatment progress
• Increased risk of cavities and gum irritation
• Discomfort from broken appliances
• Extra visits to the orthodontist for repairs

At Rousseau Orthodontics, we want your journey to be efficient, comfortable, and successful from start to finish. That’s why we take the time to explain every step and offer ongoing support beyond treatment, from adjustments to replacement retainers and preventive care. Your smile is a partnership, and we’re with you every step of the way.

Let’s Keep Your Braces and Smile on Track in Baton Rouge

Following your dietary do’s and don'ts is one of the most important things you can do to protect your orthodontic investment. At Rousseau Orthodontics in Baton Rouge, you’ll receive personalized, consistent care from a warm, expert team led by Dr. Abby Rousseau. 

We're here to make your treatment as smooth and rewarding as possible. Have questions about what’s on the menu with braces? Call us at (225) 372-1937 or request your appointment today, we’re excited to join you on your smile journey!