During orthodontic treatment 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 brackets and wires. Minimize sugary foods; they cause tooth decay and related problems. Nail biting, pencil and pen chewing, and chewing on foreign objects should be avoided.
Examples of Hard Foods to Avoid:
- Ice
- Nuts
- Beef jerky
- Jolly Ranchers, or other hard candy
- Suckers
- Jaw breakers
- Sweet Tarts
Examples of Sticky Foods to Avoid:
- Gum (unless it’s sugar-free)
- Caramels
- Dots
- Jelly beans
- Gummy bears
- Fruit Roll-ups
- Skittles
- Taffy
- Tootsie Rolls
- Starburst
Modify the Following:
- Apples - cut into slices
- Corn on the cob - cut off the cob
- Raw carrots, broccoli or cauliflower - cut into small pieces
- Hard chips, crusty pizza or bread - break into small pieces
- Tacos or bagels - break or cut into small pieces