What Foods to Skip to Keep Your Smile Safe – Braces Care Tips

When you have braces, certain foods can cause damage to the brackets and wires. It’s best to avoid:

1. Sticky Foods:
   • Caramel
   • Chewing gum
   • Taffy
   • Gummy candies
2. Hard Foods:
   • Nuts
   • Popcorn
   • Hard candies
   • Ice cubes
3. Crunchy Foods:
   • Raw carrots
   • Apples (unless cut into small pieces)
   • Corn on the cob
   • Hard taco shells
4. Chewy Foods:
   • Bagels
   • Licorice
   • Beef jerky
5. Sugary Foods:
   • Candy
   • Sugary drinks like soda
   • Sweet desserts that can lead to tooth decay around brackets
6. Foods You Have to Bite Into:
   • Corn on the cob
   • Whole apples
   • Whole pears

Cutting foods into smaller pieces and chewing them with your back teeth can help avoid damage. Always follow your orthodontist’s guidelines for eating with braces.