Foods to Avoid

Your braces are very strong and are designed to stay on your teeth throughout your orthodontic treatment. By following some simple guidelines, you can minimize breakage and maximize treatment.

 

The most common reason for damage to orthodontic appliances results from eating sticky or hard foods. Eating these foods can cause damage to the archwires, break off your brackets and loosen the bands.

 

You should avoid had foods such as ice and pizza crust, as well as sticky foods, including licorice and caramels. These foods can damage wires and brackets. It is also important to minimize foods high in sugar content, like ice scream and cookies, and reduce sugary drinks to once a day.

 

Avoid eating…

• Popcorn, nuts (or anything with nuts or kernels in it);

• Hard chips (Doritos or Fritos);

• Hard shell tacos;

• Chewing on ice;

• Peanut Brittle;

• Hard or sticky candy (Taffy, caramels, suckers, Jolly Ranchers & gummy bears);

• Pizza crusts, hard pretzels & bagels;

• Beef jerky & Slim Jims;

• Bubble gum (you may chew sugarless gum that is designed not to stick to dental work).

Also, foods like corn on the cob, meat on the bone, corn dogs, apples, carrots, etc. should be cut into bite-sized pieces before eating.

 

A good rule of thumb to follow is that if a food makes noise when you chew it- be careful because there is a good chance it can damage you appliances.

In addition, habits such as biting on pens and pencils or chewing on your fingernails can also cause significant damage.

 

It is your responsibility to carefully examining your appliances and/or braces every day to make sure that everything is firmly attached to your teeth.

If you notice something is loose, please call our office as soon as possible, even if you have an appointment scheduled in the near future.