No-No Food List

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Protecting Your Orthodontic Appliances

While you adjust to your new orthodontic appliances, it is important to avoid foods that could damage them or interfere with your treatment. Hard foods like nuts, hard candies, and ice can break brackets or wires, while sticky and chewy foods like caramel, chewing gum, and gummy candies can get trapped in your appliances. Choosing softer foods and cutting fruits and vegetables into smaller pieces can help protect your appliances and keep your treatment on track.

The good news is that you do not have to give up your favorite snacks forever! By following your orthodontist’s dietary recommendations and maintaining good oral hygiene, you can help prevent appliance damage and avoid unnecessary repairs. Be patient during treatment and make smart food choices to protect your smile. Before you know it, you will be enjoying popcorn, potato chips, and your other favorite treats again!

Foods to avoid with braces:

  • Chewy foods — bagels, licorice
  • Crunchy foods — popcorn, chips, ice
  • Sticky foods — caramel candies, chewing gum
  • Hard foods — nuts, hard candies
  • Foods that require biting into — corn on the cob, apples, carrots

Foods you CAN eat with braces:

  • Dairy — soft cheese, pudding, milk-based drinks
  • Breads — soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins without nuts
  • Grains — pasta, soft cooked rice
  • Meats/poultry — soft cooked chicken, meatballs, lunch meats
  • Seafood — tuna, salmon, crab cakes
  • Vegetables — mashed potatoes, steamed spinach, beans
  • Fruits — applesauce, bananas, fruit juice
  • Treats — ice cream without nuts, milkshakes, Jell-O, soft cake