Dr. Kendall Dunn and Dr. Alex Schreiber of Just for Grins Orthodontics know that a bright, confident smile can do wonders for your self-esteem. Braces (or one of our other orthodontic treatments like Invisalign) can help you achieve that beautiful smile, but to get the best results in as fast a timeframe as possible it is important that you take care of your orthodontic treatment along the way. Part of that means avoiding certain foods that could be harmful to your orthodontic appliances.
Avoid Hard, Sticky, & Sugary Foods
There are different types of foods that can negatively impact your braces, including sticky foods, hard foods, and sugary foods. Hard foods can potentially break your braces’ brackets and wires while sticky foods can get caught in between them. Additionally, because it is more difficult to clean your mouth and maintain proper oral hygiene while wearing braces, sugary foods should be avoided. If sugary particles are missed during your brushing and flossing routine then you could develop tooth decay and other health problems.
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Foods You Shouldn’t Eat with Braces
Sticky Foods Such As:
- Gum (sugar-free or regular)
- Licorice
- Sugar Daddies
- Toffee
- Tootsie Rolls
- Caramels
- Starburst
Say “No” to These Hard Foods:
- Ice
- Nuts
- Hard taco shells
- French bread crust/rolls
- Corn on the cob
- Apples and carrots (unless cut into small pieces)
- Bagels
- 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
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In most situations common sense will help you determine what foods could potentially be bad for your braces. That being said, our orthodontists have compiled a list of foods you should avoid if you want to maintain the health of your teeth, the progress of your orthodontic treatment, and the well-being of your braces.
