Diet & Snacks

It is important to be conscious of how your food choices can possibly damage your braces or other appliances.­ Remember that every loose bracket will extend your treatment time by at least two months.  Here are some examples of foods you should avoid:

POPCORN: Shells have a tendency to get stuck between your braces and the gum and are difficult to remove.

ICE: Eating ice will crack the cement that bonds the braces to the teeth.

HARD FOODS, such as PRETZELS, CORN CHIPS, NUTS, COOKIES, ETC

BEEF JERKY, SLIM-JIMS

HARD and/or CHEWY CANDY, such as CARAMEL, JU-JU BEANS, NOW-N-LATERS, GUMMY BEARS, JAWBREAKERS, SUCKERS

RAW FRUITS & VEGETABLES, such as APPLES AND CARROTS: These foods are safer to eat if you cut them into bite-size pieces.

CORN ON THE COB:   Can be eaten if it is scraped off the cob.

SUGARY FOODS and CARBONATED SOFT DRINKS: When you have these types of food, brush immediately afterwards.

NOTE: Be sure to keep foreign objects out of your mouth, such as PEN CAPS and PENCILS.  These will break the brackets loose from your tooth.