For most situations, common sense will tell you what to avoid. You must avoid hard foods, sticky foods, and foods high in sugar. Hard foods can break or damage wires and brackets. Sticky foods can get caught between brackets and wires. Minimize sugary foods as they cause tooth decay and related problems. You should also avoid nail biting, pencil and pen chewing, and chewing on foreign objects.

Examples of Sticky Foods to Avoid:

• Licorice
• Jolly Ranchers
• 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
• 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 essential to regularly check your braces for bent or loose wires and brackets. Call our office immediately to arrange an appointment for repair in case of a loose/broken wire or bracket.