Eating with braces
During treatment with braces, you can still eat most of your favourite foods – but some foods should be avoided to prevent damage to your braces. If your braces break or dislodge from your teeth, it can significantly set back your treatment time.
![Eating with braces Eating with braces](https://www.guildfordorthodontics.co.uk/application/files/1416/9233/6847/eating-braces-01.jpg)
What foods should I avoid with braces?
While wearing fixed braces, here are some foods you should avoid:
- Sticky foods - like toffees and boiled sweets
- Hard fruits and vegetables - apples, carrots, etc. (but you can eat them if you cut them into bite-size pieces)
- Chewing gum
- Crunchy foods - ice cubes, nuts, crusty sandwiches, pizza crusts (you can eat sandwiches and pizza when cut into bite-size pieces)
- Fizzy drinks - which can cause staining around your brackets
- Sugary foods and drinks - which can cause tooth decay during treatment
You should also avoid chewing on fingernails or pen caps during treatment, as this can damage or break your appliance.
![What foods should I avoid with braces?](https://www.guildfordorthodontics.co.uk/application/files/6216/9233/6848/eating-braces-02.jpg)