Do I need to avoid certain foods when I have braces?

With some exceptions, you can stick to your usual diet. But you may need to make a few adjustments while getting used to your braces as some food might cause problems for your teeth or even damage your braces.

Dr. Bagel has compiled a list of foods to avoid. There are also some suggestions how to eat some of these foods if you must eat them.

• Apples (cut it into wedges, don't bite into a whole apple.)
• Bubble gum (some orthodontists allow sugarless gum, check with yours for approval)
• Candy (caramels, taffy, nut brittles, fruit-flavored chewy candies, gummi anything!)
• Carrots (avoid sticks, cut into thin curls)
• Corn on the cob (remove the kernels from the cob, then enjoy!)
• Corn chips/crisp tacos
• Hard foods (they're tough on braces, causing bending and breaking)
• Ice (no crunching!)
• Lemon juice/lemons (pure lemon juice is very hard on your tooth enamel)
• Nuts
• Pizza crust/crusty breads (outer edges)
• Popcorn
• Pretzels (the large, hard varieties)
• Sticky foods (can bend wires and pull off brackets)
• Sugary foods (avoid these as much as possible; if you do eat them, brush your teeth within minutes or as soon as possible, or at least rinse your mouth with water)

For more information about how we at Nancy A Bagel, DDS, PC in Palatine can help you with dental braces, call us at (888) 647-4862. We will be happy to talk with you.