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WHAT NOT TO EAT

Damaged appliances are probably the biggest nuisance to orthodontic treatment for both doctor and patient.

Breakage always means extra appointments, inconvenience and extended treatment time. Accidents do happen, but almost every loose band, bracket or broken wire is due to patient carelessness. Since this carelessness usually stems from poor eating habits, we ask you to avoid, or be careful while eating the following foods. Please remember that these are only examples and this list is not all-inclusive.

STICKY FOODS

HARD FOODS

  • Gum (even sugar free)
  • Caramels
  • Taffy
  • Licorice
  • Gummy Bears (or anything gummy)
  • Hot Tamales
  • Mike and Ikes
  • Tootsie Rolls
  • StarBurst Candies
  • Snickers
  • Skittles
  • Milky Way
  • Anything Chewy, sticky or gooey
  • Fruits and whole, raw vegetables
  • Beef Jerky
  • Corn chips
  • Cheetos
  • Hard taco shells
  • Ice Cubes
  • Nuts
  • Corn Nuts
  • Sunflower Seeds, whole
  • Corn on the cob
  • Pizza Crust
  • Popcorn (watch out for kernels!)
In addition, please drink or rinse with water after consuming any sugary foods or drinks if you are not able to brush and floss right away.

ANYTHING TOO HARD WILL BREAK OFF BRACKETS

ANYTHING TOO STICKY WILL BEND OR BREAK WIRES

EVERY TIME SOMETHING BENDS OR BREAKS, YOUR TEETH ARE NOT MOVING AS PLANNED. THIS CAN AND WILL SLOW DOWN YOUR TREATMENT IF IT HAPPENS TOO FREQUENTLY!!

SUGGESTED ALTERNATIVES

  • Kit Kat Candy Bar
  • Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
  • Three Musketeer Bars
  • Junior Mints
  • York Peppermint Patties
  • Hershey’s Candy Bar, plain
  • Fruits and vegetables, cut bite-size
  • Nachos (cheese drenched chips)
  • Cheese puff-balls
  • Soft shell tacos
  • Shelled Sunflower Seeds
  • Corn, cut off the cob
  • Pizza, cut into bite sized pieces
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