Traditional braces can be easily damaged by certain foods. In addition, some foods just get easily stuck between brackets and wires, and that can make keeping your teeth clean extra difficult. As your dentist in Lake Forest and Gurnee, IL, we can help you every step of the way when you have traditional braces. Below are some of the foods that we recommend our patients avoid when they have traditional braces.

1. Hard Foods

Hard foods like candies can easily damage braces, and even if they don’t damage the braces, little bits of hard candy that become stuck in between brackets can be bad for your teeth. Avoid hard foods like candy canes while you’re wearing traditional braces.

2. Sticky Foods

Sticky foods like caramels can become a real mess to clean out of braces. If you eat sticky foods while you have braces, you may not be able to fully clean your teeth afterward. Leave these foods to consume after your braces have come off.

3. Crunchy Foods

Crunchy foods like nuts and pretzels put a lot of stress on your braces and can lead your braces to develop broken wires and other problems. Avoid nuts, chips, hard taco shells, and other crunchy foods to help maintain your braces.

4. Tough, Chewy Breads

Just like crunchy foods, tough, chewy breads also put stress on your braces. Avoid breads with tough crusts and dense interiors.

5. Gummy Candies

Gummy candies can be very tough, which can damage the brackets in your braces. In addition, gummy candies can become stuck in your braces, just like hard candies, and that can be very bad for your teeth.

Have more questions about how to maintain your braces in Forest Lake and Gurnee, IL? Call Goshgarian Orthodontics to talk to one of our dental professionals.