Eating
Hard foods may do damage by bending wires, loosening cement under the bands, or breaking the little brackets and tubes which are attached to the bands, or your teeth.
Click here to download the "Do, Do Not" handout.
DON'T EAT:
- Popcorn
- Nuts
- Peanut Brittle
- Ice (not even if you're careful)
- Lemons (pure lemon juice is injurious to the tooth enamel)
- Corn-on-the-cob
- Corn chips
- Crisp tacos.
MAYBE:
- Carrot Sticks (if you cut them into carrot curls which are thin and will not damage)
- Apples (cut into small wedges)
- Hard French Bread (if you take small pieces and are very careful)
STICKY FOODS
Sticky food damage appliances by bending wires and pulling cement loose, so no caramels or taffy.
FOODS THAT ARE APPEALING BUT DANGEROUS TO YOUR APPLIANCES
- FOODS HIGH IN SUGAR CONTENT should be avoided whenever possible. If you do eat any of them, eat only at the end of a meal and brush your teeth immediately. If it's not convenient to brush, then always rinse your mouth with clear water after eating very sweet foods like cake or pie.
A careful orthodontic patient can probably eat almost any food and do no damage to his/her appliances. However, these three types of food may cause trouble. There are many other foods which may cause trouble. To be safe, ask us if you are in doubt about eating them. So when in doubt remember,