Foods to Avoid

While you are wearing orthodontic appliances, care must be taken to avoid loose bands, missing tie wires and bent archwires.  Three important “don’ts” include:

1. Don’t bite on hard candy, whole apples, ICE or anything else hard!
2. Don’t chew GUM, caramels, taffy or anything else sticky!
3. Don’t play with your appliances with your fingers, lips or tongue!

Bite-Size is better. Cut foods like steak, pizza and sandwiches into pieces. Cut meat off the bone. Chewing on bones can loosen appliances. Slice fresh vegetables and fruit. Cut fresh corn off the cob before you eat it.

NO-NOs

DO NOT SUCK ON LIMES, LEMONS OR ICE!

BE CAREFUL OF:

WHOLE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

Apples, carrots and etc. should be sliced and eaten carefully.

HARD CRUSTY BREADS

Should be broken and eaten in small pieces.

POTATO CHIPS

Just be very careful.

FRESH CORN

Should be sliced off the cob.