Since you now have braces, an orthodontic appliance, or separators, you will have to be careful when eating certain foods. Here are some pointers to help you along the way!

Fruits and Veggies
There aren’t many limitations when it comes to fruits and vegetables. Oranges, pears, bananas, strawberries, grapes, corn, celery, and cooked carrots are all great choices. But don’t forget, you MUST cut your corn off the cob!

Meats
There are only two things to remember when eating any meats. You should ALWAYS take the meat off of the bone and cut any tough meats into smaller pieces.

Bread
Most bread should not be a problem. Pizza, sandwiches, calzones, bagels, and soft tacos are some examples. The only part of pizza that you should not bite into is the crust. If the bread is hard make sure you cut or tear it into smaller pieces and chew with your back teeth.

Snacks and Candy
There are several snacks that you are able to have without worry while in braces. Thin potato chips, soft chocolate candy, soft pretzels, regular and frozen yogurt, slushies, milkshakes, ice cream, popsicles, and brownies are some examples. Just remember that food and drinks high in sugar can permanently damage teeth, so eat or drink them in moderation and always brush your teeth after.

There are some things to completely avoid while in braces…
Some examples are gum (regular or sugar free), caramel, hard candy, and sticky or chewy candy. Also, you should stay away from eating hard foods such as popcorn, peanuts, almonds, ice, hard tacos, and hard chips.

Food is not the only thing that can damage your braces. Please remember that you should NOT chew on pens or pencils while in braces and remember that any broken brackets or bent wires can extend treatment time!