What to Eat?!

Now that you have your new braces on, you might just want to know "what can I eat?" Just like a new pair of shoes, braces have a brief adjusment period too. New shoes need to be worn before they feel super comfortable, and the same goes for braces; so for the first few days of having your new braces you will want to stick with soft foods, like pasta, to let the braces firmly fasten to your teeth. Once you are used to the feel of chewing with your braces you will be able to eat and chew like normal! However, you will still need to protect your appliance while eating!

Here is a list of foods to avoid during your orthodontic treatment:

• Chewy foods: bagels, dinner rolls, licorice



• Crunchy foods: popcorn, ice, chips



• Sticky foods and candies: caramel, gum, Skittles, Gummy Bears, Starbursts



• Hard foods: nuts, hard candy, pizza crust, granola bars



• Foods you have to bite into: corn on the cob, ribs, apples, carrots



• Chewing on hard things: pens, pencils, fingernails

Always remember to brush your teeth thoroughly after eating. Damaged braces will cause your treatment to take longer and requires extra visits and possibly additional charges. If you have any questions about what to eat and what not to eat please call Dr. McClellan at 847-251-6274.