What must we 'never' eat

[drgnchsr36]

I was told to use a straw if I occasionally have a coke. Think that it is more to do with general rules plus perhaps having erosion on the exposed bit only around the brackets.

Thanks for the replies, makes me feel so much better! I had McDonalds this eve, a few crunchy fries thrown in! I'll keep going the way I am, not over do it and if the worst thing happens I'll not admit to having eaten said things.

Peanut M&Ms and snikers are my faves! I can't wait to have some but will prob wait a while, maybe when brcs come off.

ST

Another quick question, do we always need to drink things through a straw?? Or just soda?

[sadpanda]

I think you only need to use a straw with soda/pop and other sugary drinks, but that's it. That's what I do anyway. I drink a lot of water and milk and never use a straw.

As for food - I don't eat peanuts, peanut M&M's, Snickers, popcorn, Starbursts, or granola bars. I eat cold cereal though, mostly any kind even though I was afraid at first. I've also eaten crackers, chips, and cookies...a bunch of stuff on the no-no list. And I chew sugarless gum because the ortho said it was fine. I was also scared to try gum at first because I didn't see how it wouldn't stick to my braces, but it doesn't stick at all.

I'm not so worried about foods that could break a bracket off. It's hard to find anything to eat because I have a severe acid reflux problem and a lot of foods burn my mouth, so I have had to cut them out (anything tomato or citrus, etc.). Even things that aren't considered spicy - like ketchup, breaded chicken, and soups really burn along with anything mint. I seems I can only eat bland food and sweet food and it gets pretty boring.

[drgnchsr36]

Ahh, that makes sense. Hopefully I can drink hot chocolate without a straw or hot apple cider. Maybe I'll just rinse afterwards.

That's a bummer about the acid reflux :/

[blackapple]

I take that list with a grain of salt. I was given the same precautions in written form. I eat anything I want within reason. Wanna chew gum? No problem. I just chew slowly. I eat cashew too. I just eat them slowly. The only thing that makes me nervous still is popcorn. I haven't had any in 3 months and it's killing me. I guess I am nervous about the hulls slipping under a bracket or under my gums where I can't get it out. That is really the only thing I stay away from. I have had no brackets pop off as of yet.

[luchababe]

The only thing that makes me nervous still is popcorn. I haven't had any in 3 months and it's killing me. I guess I am nervous about the hulls slipping under a bracket or under my gums where I can't get it out. That is really the only thing I stay away from. I have had no brackets pop off as of yet.

I'm with you there! I REALLY miss popcorn. Going the movies just isn't the same without it. But I too don't want to risk it.

I only drink pop once a week and have coffee or tea 2-3 times a week and only in the cold weather so I don't use a straw. I tried coffee with a straw, burnt the heck out of my mouth, didn't enjoy it one bit, have never used a straw again!

[rhomboid]

I would not not bite square into either an apple or a carrot or eat toffee or caramelized candy to include a candied apple, don't think that I care about candy too much anyway. Do eat sandwiches, burgers, steak, cut apples and carrots, any kind of nuts, hard thick pretzels carefully. Most anything if carefull. Greens are ok, just don't smile too quickly afterwards.

[rhomboid]

Popcorn, even caramelized no worries.

[drgnchsr36]

I assume beef jerky is out of the question?

Man, I'm going to miss it..

[itsabouttime22]

When I first got my braces- I was so carefully about eating things, but now I'd have to say I don't even think about it. I chew gum all the time, shove popcorn in my mouth and eat nuts (just a few though). I think your mouth gets used to the new way of eating- so I say don't deprive yourself of anything, especially if you are going to be in braces a long time. I've never had brackets pop off or anything either- I'd say the most annoying part of eating with braces is not how hard something is but getting anything and everything stuck in them!