For the most part, this is really common sense. For example, you will find it uncomfortable to eat sticky foods and hard foods. However, you should also avoid foods that are high in sugar due to the possibility of tooth decay.

Hard foods have the potential to break, bend or damage braces. The following are some of the hard foods you should not eat under any circumstances;

• Apples and carrots (unless chopped into fine pieces)
• Bagels
• Chips
• Corn on the cob
• French bread crust/rolls
• Hard taco shells
• Ice
• Jolly Ranchers
• Nuts
• Pizza crust
• Uncooked carrots (unless chopped)

Sticky foods get trapped in wires and brackets. Examples of a few of the sticky foods you should keep away from;

• Caramels
• Gum (any type)
• Licorice
• Starburst
• Sugar Daddies
• Toffee
• Tootsie Rolls

High sugar foods that you should avoid include;

• Cake
• Candy
• Cookies
• Ice Cream
• Pie

Keep your consumption of the following foods to once daily;

• Drinks with sugar
• Gatorade
• Kool-Aid
• Soda
• Sweetened tea

Bad Habits

The following bad habits that can damage your braces;

• Chewing on foreign objects
• Nail biting
• Pencil and pen chewing

Check your braces regularly for any signs of damage or looseness. Contact us immediately if you notice something that requires our attention.