Foods to Avoid - Hardy Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics

Foods to Avoid

Common Orthodontic ProblemsNot being free to eat the foods you like during orthodontic treatment may not be fun, but choosing to learn what foods to avoid–and avoiding them–can help prevent prolonged treatment from broken wires and brackets.  At Hardy Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics we are dedicated to thorough patient education so we can empower you to be active participants in your treatment. Knowledgeable patients find more long-term success with their oral health and their total body wellness. Dr. T.C. Hardy compiled this list of foods to avoid to help you find success with your orthodontic treatment. Our friendly knowledgeable staff is also here to answer any questions you may have during your treatment.

In order to avoid damage to your braces and your teeth during orthodontic treatment, avoid hard foods, sticky foods and foods high in sugar. Eating foods high in sugar also increases the risk of cavities, especially while wearing braces. With braces, sugary foods have more places to hide and cause tooth decay. It’s much harder to remove sugar from your teeth with braces on. Along with our list of foods to avoid, we encourage our patients to try and quit bad habits such as fingernail biting, pencil and pen chewing, and/or chewing on foreign objects.

Examples of hard foods to avoid include:

  • Hard candy
  • Nuts
  • Chips
  • Popcorn
  • Ice
  • Corn on the cob
  • Apples
  • Carrots
  • Crusty bread

Examples of sticky foods to avoid include:

  • Gum
  • Taffy
  • Caramel
  • Tootsie Rolls®
  • Sugar Daddies®
  • Starburst®
  • Skittles®
  • Licorice


Prevent Problems by Daily Self-Checks

We encourage our patients to please check their braces for bent or loose wires and brackets regularly so any problematic issues with their braces can be caught earlier rather than later. If you discover a broken or loose wire, contact our staff immediately to set up an appointment to repair the issue. Taking the time to do these daily self-checks when you brush your teeth will save you unnecessary discomfort, problems and time.

Contact our Office with Questions

For more patient education resources or if you need answers or clarification on any of the patient education material here, please contact our office today, or, if needed, schedule a visit with Dr. T.C. Hardy.