Foods to Avoid
In the first eight weeks of braces, you will learn what works for you and what doesn’t. It will take a little bit of time to get used to your braces and the restrictions that come with them. 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. Eating sugary foods can cause tooth decay and other related problems. Nail biting, pencil and pen chewing and chewing on foreign objects should also be avoided.
Examples of Sticky Foods to Avoid:
- Licorice
- Sugar Daddies
- Taffy
- Tootsie Rolls
- Caramels
- Starburst
- Chewing gum is allowed as long as it is sugar free!
Examples of Hard Foods to Avoid:
- Ice
- Nuts
- Hard taco shells
- Popcorn
- Corn on the cob
- Apples and carrots (unless cut into small pieces)
- Bagels
- Corn 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
