Foods to Avoid – Martin Orthodontics

Lemons / Limes

Lemons / Limes

No sucking on lime or lemon halves

Carrots

Carrots

Chop in bite sized pieces or cook until tender

Taffy

Taffy

Including homemade and store-bought varieties

Ice

Ice

Try ice water to cool off, but don't eat the ice

Popcorn

Popcorn

Including plain and flavored. Puffcorn treats are recommended instead

Hard Candy

Hard Candy

Including suckers and peanut brittle

Jerky

Jerky

Including all types of meat from which jerky is made

Pretzels

Pretzels

The bigger and harder ones are bad, but big soft pretzels are ok

Licorice

Licorice

Including all flavors

Gummy Candy

Gummy Candy

Including all flavors and shapes

Carmel Nut Bars

Carmel Nut Bars

This includes any combination of sticky candy and whole nuts

Chewy Candy

Chewy Candy

Carmels and fruit flavored squares are two exampels

Apple

Apple

Core and slice apple before eating it, whole apples are bad

Bubble Gum

Bubble Gum

The only approved gum are "Orbit" & "Five" brands, soft and sugar free

Corn on the Cob

Corn on the Cob

Cut the kernels off the cob before eating

Tortilla Chips

Tortilla Chips

Hard crunchy chips are not allowed, but smaller and softer chips are fine

Grain Nut Bars

Grain Nut Bars

Avoid varieties that use whole nuts

Pizza Crust

Pizza Crust

Cut off the crust before eating

Whole Nuts

Whole Nuts

Avoid whole nuts entirely. Shelled sunflower seeds and chopped cashews are fine

French Baguette or Hard Rolls

French Baguette or Hard Rolls

Try softer, untoasted breads instead

Good News:
Chocolate is okay as long as it is not mixed with nuts, hard or chewy carmel, or anything crunchy.

Foods to Avoid:
Foods that are sticky. chewy, hard or crunchy can cause damage to your braces and if consumption is continued for a longer period of time, may diminish your final results.

General Rules to Remember:

Nothing sticky
Nothing chewy
Nothing hard
Nothing crunchy
Limit sugar intake, including sugary drinks
No sucking on lemon or lime halves
No eating ice

You must avoid:

Carrots (raw)
Corn Chips
Corn on the cob
French bread crust and hard rolls
Hard candy
Ice
Pizza Crusts
Peanuts
Pretzels
Popcorn
Sticky candy
Taffy
Whole apples and carrots