Advice · 11 October 2026
You can still enjoy most foods with braces. A few simple changes help protect your teeth and stop your brace from breaking.
Foods to avoid
- Hard foods, such as nuts, hard sweets and crusty bread.
- Sticky and chewy foods, such as toffees and chewing gum.
- Popcorn.
- Fizzy drinks (even diet ones), sugary drinks and fruit juice.
Best choices
- Water and plain milk are the best drinks.
- Cut food into small pieces.
- Keep sugary foods to mealtimes.
- Do not bite your nails or chew pens.
Why it matters
Hard and sticky foods can break your brace, and breakages make treatment take longer. Sugar and fizzy drinks can cause permanent white marks and tooth decay around the brackets. See brace care and problems and brushing with braces.
Frequently asked questions
Can I chew gum with braces?
No. Chewing gum is sticky and can damage your brace.
What is the best drink with braces?
Water and plain milk. Avoid fizzy drinks (even diet ones), sugary drinks and fruit juice.
Have a question? Ask your clinician during your appointment, or call us on 028 9045 1303.