food you're not supposed to eat

[mariahfromchicago]

What foods are you not supposed to eat? I eat whatever I want! No problems (8 months, 1 week in). If you are wondering, don't worry about gum, carrots, chocolate, whatever! Just ask me! I will try eating that food!
-mariah

[mariahfromchicago]

hello? anyone here?
Sorry I need to learn some manners, eh?

[Tara19]

hey mariah -

I am bad when it comes to this.. I eat just about anything and everything. However gum i have learned my lesson as it gets stuck inside the bracket and is hard to get out. My ortho even noticed (how embarrasing). Corn on the cob is another, but i dont eat corn anyways. Hard candies we can only suck on.

Otherwise use your judgement and enjoy that mouth of metal

[mariahfromchicago]

ok, that is correct mostly. I chew gum but not that often. I don't like corn anyways. I don't like to eat apples whole. I don't like most types of candy. If you arent supposed to eat bagels, don't listen to that. I eat bagels for breakfast and I am ok.
-mariah

[Janesays]

i eat whatever i want.. i just go slower with some foods. its not really a big deal.. but i dont chew gum mostly because of the rubber bands

[mariahfromchicago]

Myth: braces really limit what you can eat
Fact: you can eat whatever you want.
-enjoy or not enjoy having braces.
Mariah

[Anstronautjenny]

Hi everyone

I don't follow these rules as much as i'm supposed to. I chew sugarless gum and never had a problem. I also eat sandwishes/bagels/ect. I think the reason why orthodontists don't want you eating them is because they do get stuck sometimes (especially bread!) and it's hard to clean out, which can cause cavities. The only foods that will most likely take off your brackets would be corn on the cob, whole apples, and those huge carrots. Baby carrots are a good replacement, as well as cutting up the corn and apples. As long as you take really good care fo your teeth after eating, it's fine to eat the "forbidden" foods.

[mariahfromchicago]

Astronaut Jenny: I see now why they put bagels on the no-no list. I don't eat bagels that often. I don't like corn, whole apples (ones that are cut are good). Thanks!
- mariah

[Sunny]

Bagels, especially toasted ones are divine. Rinsing with water while eating, is a great way to enjoy foods like bagels.

I love corn on the cob, but have found the cleanup necessary while wearing braces, frustrating. I guess if I used a waterpik, it would be easier, but I don't bother with them. I still eat corn though ... just the type that comes loose.

I do eat apples without cutting them, and I prefer the green harder ones, but am careful to take small bites.

Myth: braces really limit what you can eat
Fact: you can eat whatever you want.

... well written Mariah!

[kcombs100]

Hi,
I found that Strike gum doesn't stick to my braces. I'm always chewing on gum. I don't floss but us a water pick. Floss gets caught between my teeth and breaks and then I'm trying to get it out with twizzers.

[Sunny]

It's great you've found a gum you can chew safely. Our orthos recommend chewing gum ... the type that says it's safe to chew with all dental work and doesn't contain sugar etc. Chewing stimulates blood flow and that helps clear up any discomfort and is good for tooth movement.

Originally Posted by kcombs100

Hi,
I don't floss but us a water pick. Floss gets caught between my teeth and breaks and then I'm trying to get it out with twizzers.

Please find a floss that works for you kcombs. A waterpik is great from removing food from between teeth and around brackets, but it doesn't do the job that flossing does. Flossing is about removing any bacteria that builds up just under the gum line and eventually will form into plaque and may cause gum disease, gum recession and bone loss. Bone loss means that teeth may become loose and fall out.

Flossing is easy and with practise it's also fast to do. It's just not worth the risk to play around with the health of your gums.

Sounds like you need to try a few different types of floss kcombs, until you find one that doesn't catch between your teeth. I prefer the oral b superfloss, as it has a tiny threader on it, and the floss at the 'flossing' end, doesn't shred.

Good luck with flossing!