Foods to Avoid

Eating with Orthodontic Appliances

Although some patients are able to eat or drink almost anything while in braces and have no ill effects, there are certain dietary habits that are known to cause breakage of orthodontic appliances, as well as increasing the risk of dental disease. Our aim is to achieve the treatment goals with as few disturbances due to appliance breakage as possible and minimize the side effects of poor diet choices. Remember that teeth move their best in a healthy environment and in individuals with excellent overall health. Be sure you have a well-balanced diet, and avoid foods that are certain to cause breakage.

Potential Harm to Your Teeth and Gums

Foods and drinks which your dentist has suggested may cause dental caries should be restricted while wearing braces. Sticky foods are to be avoided because of the increased risk of dental decay and appliance breakage. These foods stick to your braces and teeth and if left in contact with your teeth for long periods of time will cause cavities and decalcification of the teeth. If foods or drinks high in sugar content are to be consumed, we advise having them with regular meals. Please make sure that careful brushing and rinsing take place immediately afterwards. Between-meal snacks should be confined to foods without refined sugar and should be followed by vigorous rinsing if a toothbrush is not available.

Potential Harm to Your Braces

Braces have been attached to your teeth with an adhesive which normally will withstand the forces of eating. However, braces can be dislodged and wires bent or broken while eating certain foods. Hard and chewy foods, such as gum, caramels, nuts, hard candy, corn chips and even crisp taco shells can harm your braces and wires and should be avoided. Chewing ice cubes can also be very destructive to your braces and appliances. Popcorn can cause harm in multiple ways. The husks from the popcorn can become lodged beneath the braces and cause irritation to the gum tissue. Unpopped kernels can shear or break off brackets as well as dislodge or bend wires. Some foods such as whole apples, raw carrots or celery are healthy snacks, but must be cut into small pieces to avoid damaging your braces. The following is a guideline of items that should be avoided or eaten with care.

Foods to Avoid

For most situations, common sense will tell you what to avoid. 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. Minimize sugary foods; they cause tooth decay and related problems. Nail biting, pencil and pen chewing and chewing on foreign objects should be avoided.

Examples of Sticky Foods to Avoid:

  • Gum (sugar-free or regular)
  • Licorice
  • Sugar Daddies
  • Toffee
  • Tootsie Rolls
  • Caramels
  • Starburst

Examples of Hard Foods to Avoid:

  • 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

Minimize Sugary Foods like:

  • Cake
  • Ice Cream
  • Cookies
  • Pie
  • Candy

Only Once a Day:

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

It’s important to regularly check your braces for bent or loose wires and brackets. In the event of a loose/broken wire or bracket, call our office immediately to arrange an appointment for repair.