Can I eat pizza with braces?

Yes, but you must be careful. You should avoid biting into the hard, thick crust. Cut the soft part of the pizza into small pieces and chew gently with your back teeth.

What happens if I eat popcorn with braces?

Popcorn is on the strict 'Do Not Eat' list. The thin popcorn hulls can easily get lodged under the gums or brackets, causing severe inflammation, infection, or physically breaking the brackets off your teeth.

The “Can I Eat This?” List: Save Your Brackets & Avoid Emergency Fees

Q: Can I chew gum with braces?

Traditional sticky and sugary gum is strictly forbidden as it gets tangled in the wires and brackets. However, some orthodontists may allow specific sugar-free gums, but you must ask your doctor first.

By Dr. Ortho Team

Updated: Jan 2026

Diet Guide

The first week with braces usually involves two questions: “Why do my teeth hurt?” and “Will I ever eat pizza again?”

I have good news and bad news. The good news: Yes, you can eat pizza (if the crust is soft). The bad news: One wrong bite of a hard pretzel can snap a bracket, set your treatment back by a month, and cost you money.

The Cost of Cheating

Every broken bracket is an “emergency visit.” Most contracts only cover 1-2 repairs. After that, you pay out of pocket.

Read about hidden emergency fees here →

The Science: Why Do Brackets Pop Off?

Brackets are bonded to your teeth with a special adhesive designed to withstand tensile force (pulling) but not shear force (sudden impact from the side). Biting into a hard apple acts like a lever, applying massive shear force that pops the glue instantly.

The Red List: Forbidden Foods 🚫

These foods are bracket killers. Avoid them entirely.

Ice The #1 cause of broken brackets. Suck it, don’t chew it.

Sticky Candy Caramel, Taffy, Starburst. Pulls wires right out of tubes.

Hard Nuts Almonds, peanuts. One wrong bite snaps the glue.

Popcorn Hulls get stuck in gums (painful infection risk).

The Yellow List: Eat With Caution ⚠️

You can eat these, but change how you eat them.

Food	The Danger	The Safe Way
Apples/Pears	Biting into them shears off front brackets.	Cut into thin slices. Chew with back teeth.
Raw Carrots	Too hard, requires high bite force.	Shred them, boil them, or cut into tiny coins.
Pizza Crust	Requires tearing motion that pulls wires.	Break into small pieces by hand. Don’t tear with teeth.
Meat on Bone	Accidentally biting the bone breaks metal.	Cut meat off the bone first (Ribs, Wings).

Warning for Ceramic Braces Users!

If you paid extra for clear ceramic braces, avoid Curry, Turmeric, Coffee, and Red Wine. They will stain your clear bands yellow instantly.

Compare Ceramic vs Metal Types here →

The Green List: Safe & Soft ✅

Especially good for the first week when teeth are sore.

Yogurt / Smoothies

Mac & Cheese

Scrambled Eggs

Fish (Soft)

Pancakes

Bananas

Oatmeal

Soup

Common Questions

Can I chew gum with braces?

Only if it’s sugar-free and non-sticky (like Freedent). Regular gum gets tangled in wires and is a nightmare to clean.

What if I accidentally swallow a bracket?

Don’t panic. Brackets are made of medical-grade steel or ceramic and will pass through your system naturally. However, call your orthodontist to schedule a repair.

Can I drink soda?

Limit it. The acid and sugar get trapped behind brackets, causing permanent white spots (decalcification) on your teeth that will be visible when braces come off.

Protect Your Investment

Remember, you paid thousands for this smile. Don’t let a $2 bag of popcorn cost you extra months in treatment.

Review Insurance Guide

Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified orthodontist or dentist for personalized recommendations and treatment planning.

Essential Guides

Water Flosser = Life Saver

Highly recommended for cleaning spinach out of brackets!