For most situations, common sense will tell you what to avoid. Hard foods, sticky foods and foods and drinks 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 ice and foreign objects such as mouthguards should be avoided. Please don't "pick at" your braces.
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
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
In the event of a loose/broken wire or bracket, call our office immediately to see whether you need to come in.