Foods to Avoid

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Actual patient of Embrace Our World Orthodontics

Orthodontics in Saint Louis, MO

At Embrace Our World Orthodontics, we're proud to help patients of all ages achieve gorgeous smiles through high-quality, convenient orthodontic treatment. As a leading team of adult and children's orthodontists, we're proud to offer a variety of orthodontic treatments ranging from traditional methods like metal braces to convenient alternatives like Invisalign in Saint Louis, MO. However, no matter which orthodontic treatment you choose, it'll require some adjusting. And if you pick a form of braces to straighten your teeth, there are a number of foods you'll need to avoid during treatment. 

Foods to Avoid with Braces

Generally speaking, you'll need to avoid any food that could pose a risk of damaging your braces or teeth during treatment. In particular, that means avoiding three categories of foods: hard foods, sticky foods, and foods high in sugar. Hard foods pose a risk of breaking off or damaging brackets, while sticky foods can get stuck in brackets and cause damage. Finally, sugary foods may not cause direct damage to braces, but they can cause dental decay that can completely derail your treatment. Finally, you'll want to avoid chewing on any foreign objects: nail biting, as well as chewing on pens and pencils, are all no-gos. With that in mind, here's a partial list of the kinds of foods you should avoid with braces. 

Hard Foods to Avoid with Braces

  • Nuts
  • Raw hard veggies like carrots (ok if cut into small pieces)
  • Raw hard fruits like apples (ok if cut into smaller pieces)
  • Corn on the cob (ok if kernels cut off cob)
  • Ice
  • Pizza Crust
  • Hard taco shells
  • Chips
  • Bagels

    • Sticky Foods to Avoid with Braces

  • Jolly Ranchers
  • Gum (even sugar-free)
  • Starburst
  • Licorice
  • Caramels
  • Sugar Daddies & Babies
  • Tootsie Rolls
  • Toffee

    • Sugary Foods & Beverages to Avoid with Braces

    • Cake
    • Candy
    • Ice Cream
    • Pie
    • Cookies
    • Soda
    • Kool-Aid
    • Sweet Tea
    • Gatorade

      • In addition to avoiding these kinds of foods and drinks, you should regularly examine your braces for any evidence of damage. If you do find anything damaged or broken, be sure to call our office immediately at (314) 842-4105 and check our dental emergencies page for advice on what to do.

      Schedule an Appointment with Your Saint Louis Adult Orthodontist

      You should use this list as a guide in determining what kinds of foods to avoid, but remember that this list is by no means exclusive. Ultimately, you should rely on your own common sense to decide what you should and shouldn't eat during treatment. Feel free to contact us with any more questions on diet and braces, and if you'd like to schedule a free consultation appointment, simply request one using our easy online form. We can't wait to hear from you!