1515 W. Cornwallis Drive #105, Greensboro NC 27408
Call Us Today: (336) 379-1134

Foods to Avoid During Orthodontic Treatment

At Straight A Orthodontics, we are committed to empowering our patients with knowledge, including knowing that there are certain foods to avoid so that you can be assured of the best possible results from your orthodontic treatment.

What Foods to Avoid

Making sure that you comply with all aspects of your orthodontic treatment is essential to getting the best results from you orthodontic treatment, including knowing what foods to avoid. In most cases, common sense will dictate what foods to avoid so you can be certain you keep your braces in the best shape possible. As a general rule, however, try to avoid hard and sticky foods and those that are high in sugar, as these food types are known to disrupt the improvement of your teeth and the success of your orthodontic care.

Sticky Foods to Avoid

It’s particularly important to avoid sticky foods that can either interfere with the functioning or effectiveness of your braces, including such foods as:

  • Gum (sugar-free or regular)
  • Licorice
  • Sugar Daddies
  • Toffee
  • Tootsie Rolls
  • Caramels
  • Starburst

Hard Foods to Avoid

Hard foods can be particularly hard on your braces as they can dislodge key components and reduce the efficacy of your braces. In particular, avoid the following hard foods:

  • Ice
  • Nuts
  • Hard taco shells
  • French bread crust and rolls
  • Corn on the cob
  • Apples (unless cut into small pieces)
  • Bagels
  • Chips
  • Jolly Ranchers
  • Pizza crust
  • Uncooked carrots (unless cut into small pieces)

Minimize Sugary Foods

Sugary foods are always best avoided in the interest of your teeth’s well-being, but in particular when you have braces, it’s important to minimize the following sugary foods, including:

  • Cake
  • Ice Cream
  • Cookies
  • Pie
  • Candy
  • Soda

Enjoy Treats in Moderation

Just because you have braces, it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy any treats, just do it in moderation. Just be sure to brush and floss your teeth as soon as you can after having a sweet treat.

It’s important to regularly check your braces for bent or loose wires and brackets. Should a loose or broken wire or bracket occur due to interaction with a particular food item, please call our office immediately to schedule an appointment. In the meantime, please consult our Emergency Info page.

If you want to straighten your teeth, it’s important to avoid certain foods so that your treatment is effective and completed on time. 

Call 336-379-1134 or send us a message

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.