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 wires and brackets. Minimize sugary foods, they cause tooth decay and other related problems. Nail biting, pencil and pen chewing, and chewing on foreign objects should be avoided as well.

Examples of Sticky Foods to Avoid:
- Gum (sugar free or regular)
- Licorice
- Toffee
- Tootsie rolls
- Caramels
- Starbursts

Examples of Hard Foods to Avoid:
- Ice
- Popcorn
- Nuts
- Hard taco shells
- Hard pretzels
- Corn on the cob
- Apples and carrots (unless cut into small pieces)
- Pizza crust

Minimize Sugary Foods Like:
- Cookies
- Pop
- Candy
- Sweetened drinks
- Sweetened tea or sweetened coffee

It is important to regularly check for loose or broken brackets. In the case that you do have a broken bracket, call our office immediately to schedule an appointment for repair.