There are a lot of times when your common sense will tell you what you should not do. Foods that are hard, sticky, or have a lot of sugar should not be eaten. It can be dangerous to eat hard foods, because they can break or damage wires and other things. Sticky foods can get stuck in between brackets and wires, which can make them hard to remove. Sugary foods can cause tooth decay and other problems. A lot of people chew on things that aren’t their nails, like pencils and pens, or they bite their nails but this is not recommended while wearing braces.

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

Checking for bent or loose wires and brackets on a frequent basis is critical for maintaining the effectiveness of your braces. If you see a damaged wire or bracket, please contact our office right away so we can schedule a repair.