Our goal is to provide you with a beautiful smile, so while in orthodontic treatment certain foods should be avoided, if not eliminated altogether. Hard foods, sticky foods and foods high in sugar are all no-no’s. Hard foods can break or damage wires and brackets; delaying treatment time and requiring frequent trips to the orthodontist for repairs. In addition, a bent wire can cause teeth to shift into the wrong position. Sticky foods can get caught between brackets and wires, making it difficult to brush, or they can pull appliances out of the mouth completely. Sugary foods cause tooth decay and related problems. Sodas and sugary drinks are the orthodontist’s worst enemy. Tooth decay while wearing orthodontic appliances can leave permanent scars on teeth that will never fade or go away. Nail biting and chewing on objects like straws, pens and pencils can pull wires out or break appliances and should also be avoided.
Here are some examples of foods to avoid. Just because it is not on this list does not mean it is okay to eat. In general, common sense should be used to determine whether or not a food might damage your appliances.
Sticky Foods to Avoid:
- Gum (sugar-free is allowed for all appliances except an expander)
- Taffy
- Beef Jerky
- Licorice
- Sugar Daddies
- Toffee
- Tootsie Rolls
- Caramels (and caramel apples)
- Starburst
- Skittles
- Snickers
- Chewy granola bars
- Fruit Roll-Ups
- Gummy worms or bears
Hard Foods to Avoid:
- Ice
- Nuts
- Hard taco shells
- French bread crust/rolls
- Popcorn (hard kernels and hulls)
- Corn on the cob
- Apples (unless cut into small pieces)
- Bagels
- Hard corn chips (Doritos, Fritos)
- Jolly Ranchers
- Life Savers
- Peppermints
- Pizza crust
- Uncooked carrots (unless cut into small pieces)
- Jaw breakers or suckers
- Pretzels
- Ribs/Chicken wings (meat can be taken off the bone)
- Hard granola bars
Minimize Sugary Foods like:
- Cake
- Ice Cream
- Cookies
- Pie
- Candy
Less than Once a Day:
- Soda
- Sweet tea
- Gatorade
- Kool-Aid
- Drinks with sugar (lemonade)
It’s important to regularly check your braces for bent or loose wires and brackets. In the event of a loose/broken wire or bracket, call our office immediately to schedule a repair as to not prolong treatment time. Brushing is important at all times, but especially now that you have braces.
Our goal is to provide you with a beautiful smile, so while in orthodontic treatment certain foods should be avoided, if not eliminated altogether. Hard foods, sticky foods and foods high in sugar are all no-no’s. Hard foods can break or damage wires and brackets; delaying treatment time and requiring frequent trips to the orthodontist for repairs. In addition, a bent wire can cause teeth to shift into the wrong position. Sticky foods can get caught between brackets and wires, making it difficult to brush, or they can pull appliances out of the mouth completely. Sugary foods cause tooth decay and related problems. Sodas and sugary drinks are the orthodontist’s worst enemy. Tooth decay while wearing orthodontic appliances can leave permanent scars on teeth that will never fade or go away. Nail biting and chewing on objects like straws, pens and pencils can pull wires out or break appliances and should also be avoided.
Here are some examples of foods to avoid. Just because it is not on this list does not mean it is okay to eat. In general, common sense should be used to determine whether or not a food might damage your appliances.
Sticky Foods to Avoid:
- Gum (sugar-free is allowed for all appliances except an expander)
- Taffy
- Beef Jerky
- Licorice
- Sugar Daddies
- Toffee
- Tootsie Rolls
- Caramels (and caramel apples)
- Starburst
- Skittles
- Snickers
- Chewy granola bars
- Fruit Roll-Ups
- Gummy worms or bears
Hard Foods to Avoid:
- Ice
- Nuts
- Hard taco shells
- French bread crust/rolls
- Popcorn (hard kernels and hulls)
- Corn on the cob
- Apples (unless cut into small pieces)
- Bagels
- Hard corn chips (Doritos, Fritos)
- Jolly Ranchers
- Life Savers
- Peppermints
- Pizza crust
- Uncooked carrots (unless cut into small pieces)
- Jaw breakers or suckers
- Pretzels
- Ribs/Chicken wings (meat can be taken off the bone)
- Hard granola bars
Minimize Sugary Foods like:
- Cake
- Ice Cream
- Cookies
- Pie
- Candy
Less than Once a Day:
- Soda
- Sweet tea
- Gatorade
- Kool-Aid
- Drinks with sugar (lemonade)
It’s important to regularly check your braces for bent or loose wires and brackets. In the event of a loose/broken wire or bracket, call our office immediately to schedule a repair as to not prolong treatment time. Brushing is important at all times, but especially now that you have braces.