FOODS AND HABITS TO AVOID WHILE WEARING YOUR BRACES OR APPLIANCES

Foods and Habits to Avoid While Wearing Your Braces or Appliances

Most foods can still be eaten while in orthodontic treatment. Eating the wrong types of foods or eating the right kinds of foods improperly can cause food to get caught in your braces, stick to brackets, loosen brackets, or bend wires. Consistently having loose brackets will slow your treatment progress and extend treatment time.

SODA POP, FRUIT JUICE, AND SPORTS DRINKS

These drinks are high in sugar and are the number one leading cause of decalcification (white scars on teeth) during treatment. Avoid these types of drinks while in treatment. You may drink diet soda, but try to limit yourself to one each day.

EXAMPLES OF FOODS TO AVOID

• Popcorn kernels
• Nuts
• Hard tacos
• Doritos^®
• Jerky
• Sunflower seeds
• Hard breads
• Granola bars

EXAMPLES OF CANDY TO AVOID

• Jolly Ranchers^®
• Jawbreakers
• Taffy
• Tootsie Rolls^®
• Candy canes
• Suckers
• Sticky gum
• Caramel
• Any candy that is hard or really chewy!

EXAMPLES OF FOODS THAT SHOULD BE CUT UP FIRST

• Raw vegetables (carrots, celery)
• Apples
• Corn on the cob
• Steak
• Chicken (remove from bone)
• French bread or bagels

HABITS TO AVOID

• Chewing on pencils
• Biting fingernails
• Chewing ice

FOODS YOU CAN ENJOY

• Ice cream
• Pudding
• Jell-O^®
• Soft tacos
• Mac and cheese
• Spaghetti
• Mashed potatoes
• Soup
• Yogurt
• Pringles^® or Lays^®
• Creamy peanut butter