Eating Habits
A careful orthodontic patient can eat almost any food and not damage their braces. However, there are certain types of food that may cause trouble. Please use common sense, or if you are in doubt, ask us about a particular food you enjoy eating.
Avoid Eating:
- Hard Foods
- Sticky and/or Chewy Foods
- Food High in Sugar Content
HARD FOODS may do damage by bending wires, loosening cement under the bands or breaking the little brackets and tubes which are attached.
STICKY and/or CHEWY FOODS damage braces by bending and pulling cement loose.
FOODS HIGH IN SUGAR CONTENT should be avoided whenever possible. If you eat any of them, brush your teeth immediately. If it’s not convenient to brush, always rinse your mouth with clear water after eating very sweet foods such as cake or pie.
DO NOT EAT:
- Popcorn, Nuts, Peanut Brittle
- Ice (not even if you’re careful)
- Lemons (pure lemon juice can hurt your tooth enamel)
- Corn-on-the cob (cut it off the cob)
- Corn chips, crisp taco shells, corn nuts, sunflower seeds in the shell.
- Taffy, sticky candies (i.e. Starburst, Now-N-Laters, Jolly Ranchers, etc.), beef jerky, etc.
- Pizza crust (the hard outer edge)
EAT WITH EXTREME CARE:
- Carrot & Celery Sticks (only when cut into thin slices)
- Apples (again cut into thin wedges)
- Hard Breads (only if you take small pieces and are very careful)
- Occasional Soft Drinks (again rinse your mouth with water afterwards)
- Sugarless Chewing Gum
WHEN IN DOUBT, ASK YOUR CUSTOMER CARE MANAGER FOR APPROVAL
