Foods to avoid!

Once you become accustomed to wearing braces, you will be able to enjoy most foods: the key is to take small bites and use a knife and fork for that. There are some foods you should avoid completely as long as you have braces in your mouth:

• Ice – especially chewing ice
• Hard candy
• Chewy candy (caramels, taffy, bubble gum)
• Crunchy foods (tortilla or pita chips, pizza crust, popcorn, raw carrots, etc.)
• Sugary foods (sugared soda or energy drinks: cotton candy)

Each one of these foods can cause brackets to become loose or broken. The sugary foods can promote tooth decay as well, especially during a time when you want to be extra careful to care for your teeth! Remember: CRUNCHY, COLD & STICKY foods spell trouble for braces!

Finally, be sure to visit your family dentist throughout your orthodontic treatment! You shouldn’t be fooled into thinking your are going to the dentist when you are keeping your regular orthodontic appointments! While we will assist you with brushing when necessary and we might notice a dental situation that needs attention, our focus is on the alignment of the teeth and the structure of the face. Your family dentist is our partner in this process and you should be certain to keep regular dental checkups on your calendar!