Avoid sticky or hard foods that may loosen your bands, break off brackets, or bend wires. Foods that cannot be cleaned off the braces may lead to discoloration and decay of your teeth. Examples are listed below:
Chunky peanut butter
Corn on the cob
Fruits with pits
Pretzels
Pumpkin seeds
Sunflower seeds in the Shell
Tacos (Hard Shell)
Nuts
Meat on the Bone
Jerky
Chips
Caramels
Caramel apples
Hard, sticky or chewy candy
Frozen candy bars
Fruit rollups and fruit snacks
Granola Bars
Chewing gum
Chewing ice
Popcorn
Chewy or hard breads such as
bagels, pizza crust, bread sticks
What to Do in Case of Emergency
If you notice something has become loose (band, bracket or wire), please call as soon as possible.
We will then determine:
If you should come in for an extra appointment to make repairs
Extend the length of your next appointment to allow time to make repairs
Ease any discomfort with instructions over the phone
If you ever have any questions regarding your treatment, please don't hesitate to call us.
Loose Brackets or Bands
Call our office immediately for advice if a bracket or wire is loosened. The bracket may need to be re-fitted as soon as possible. You may have a situation that requires cutting a wire or sliding a bracket off a wire at night or over the weekend. If you need to cut a wire in case of emergency, you may use fingernail clippers that have been washed and sterilized in alcohol. Please call our office the next business day, so that we may schedule an appointment for you.For most situations, common sense will tell you what to avoid. Hard foods, sticky foods and foods high in sugar must be avoided. Hard foods can break or damage wires and brackets. Sticky foods can get caught between brackets and wires. Minimize sugary foods; they cause tooth decay and related problems. Nail biting, pencil and pen chewing and chewing on foreign objects should be avoided.
Gum (sugar-free or regular)
Licorice
Sugar Daddies
Toffee
Tootsie Rolls
Caramels
Starburst
Soda
Sweetened tea
Gatorade
Kool-Aid
Drinks with sugar
It’s important to regularly check your braces for bent or loose wires and brackets. In the event of a loose/broken wire or bracket, call our office immediately to arrange an appointment for repair.