Dr. Harrison would recommend that you not eat popcorn at all if you have braces, yes. However, orthodontists like Dr. Harrison also understand that over a period of two or three years, brace-wearers are going to stretch or break the rules at times. If your child is a popcorn lover, here are a few tips that can help prevent pain or swelling from kernels should they eat popcorn with braces: Chew very carefully Avoid overcooking popcorn and making kernels more brittle Floss, floss, floss Use go-between brushes to get into those hard to reach places These tips can help to prevent kernels getting in between your teeth and the wires of your braces, but they aren’t foolproof, and Dr. Harrison recommends again that your child not eat popcorn with braces. Related Post: Orthodontic Dentistry: Brushing And Flossing With Braces