Foods To Avoid With Orthodontic Braces

You can eat just about anything, but there are some exceptions. Getting used to braces also usually means making a few adjustments in your eating habits. This is because some food might damage your braces or cause problems for your teeth.

Here's a list of items to avoid (or some ways they can still be enjoyed with caution):
Apples (don't bite into a whole one! Cut it into wedges first.)
Bubble gum (always chew sugarless gum, but preferably no gum at all)
Candy (caramels, taffy, nut brittles, fruit-flavored chewy candies, gummi anything!)
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!)
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)