Foods to Avoid

bearsDr. Dann and the whole team at Dr. Dann Orthodontics know that a bright, confident smile can do wonders for your self-esteem. Braces (or one of our other orthodontic treatments like Invisalign) can help you achieve that beautiful smile, but to get the best results as fast as possible it is important that you take care of your orthodontic treatment along the way. Part of that means avoiding certain foods that could be harmful to your orthodontic appliances.


Hard, Sticky, & Sugary

There are different types of foods that can negatively impact your braces, including sticky foods, hard foods, and sugary foods. Hard foods can potentially break your braces’ brackets and wires while sticky foods can get caught in between them.

Additionally, because it is more difficult to clean your mouth and maintain proper oral hygiene while wearing braces, sugary foods should be avoided. If sugary particles are missed during your brushing and flossing routine then you could develop tooth decay and other health problems.


Common Sense

In most situations common sense will help you determine what foods could potentially be bad for your braces. That being said, our Orlando and Winter Park orthodontist has compiled a list of foods you should avoid if you want to maintain the health of your teeth, the progress of your orthodontic treatment, and the well-being of your braces.


The List


Avoid Sticky Foods Such As:

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

Say “No” to These Hard Foods:

  • Ice
  • Nuts
  • Hard taco shells
  • French bread crust/rolls (unless broken into smaller pieces)
  • Corn on the cob
  • Apples & carrots (unless cut into smaller pieces)
  • Bagels
  • Corn chips & popcorn
  • Jolly Ranchers or other hard candies

Abstain From Sugary Foods Like:

  • Cake
  • Ice cream
  • Cookies
  • Pie
  • Candy

Only Once a Day:

  • Soda
  • Sweetened tea
  • Gatorade
  • Kool-Aid
  • Drinks with sugar

Visit Dr. Dann Orthodontics Today

Patients across Orlando and Winter Park trust Dr. Dann Orthodontics with the development and care of their smiles. To make an appointment in one of our offices, please fill out our online request form or contact us directly. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you smile brighter!