For most situations, common sense will tell you what to avoid. Hard foods,
sticky foods and foods high in sugar must be avoided. Hard foods can break
or damage wires and brackets. Sticky foods can get caught between brackets
and wires. Minimize sugary foods; they cause tooth decay and related problems.
Nail biting, pencil and pen chewing, and chewing on foreign objects should
be avoided.
Examples of Sticky Foods to Avoid
Gum (sugar-free or regular)
Licorice
Sugar Daddies
Toffee
Tootsie Rolls
Caramels
Starburst
Examples of Hard Foods to Avoid
Ice
Nuts
Hard taco shells
French bread crust/rolls
Corn on the cob
Apples and carrots (unless cut into small pieces)
Bagels
Chips
Jolly Ranchers
Pizza crust
Uncooked carrots (unless cut)
Minimize Sugary Foods like
Cake
Ice Cream
Cookies
Pie
Candy
Only Once a Day:
Soda
Sweetened tea
Gatorade
Kool-Aid
Drinks with sugar
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 arrange an appointment for repair.
Gum (sugar-free or regular)