THOSE OF YOU WITH BRACES KNOW THAT JUST BECAUSE THEYRE MADE OF METAL doesnt mean theyre invincible. In fact, braces are pretty delicate and its important to take care of them so they can straighten your teeth without complications. When a part of your braces breaks, your teeth can stop moving, or even move the wrong way! This results in extra appointments here at our practice to get the teeth moving the right way again, and it may mean youll need braces for longer than originally planned

So, how can you make sure youre taking care of your braces and ensure that they stay functional and effective? According to Dr. Lee and Dr. Meyrowitz, besides careful cleaning, one of the best ways is to be careful what kinds of foods you are eating. Not only can certain foods break a bracket or wire, but they can also get stuck between the braces and put you at greater risk for tooth decay! Below is a list of foods you should probably avoid while you have braces

Hard Foods

• Ice
• Nuts
• Ribs
• Raw Apples
• Raw Carrots
• Corn on the cob
• Popcorn
• Peanut Brittle
• Hard Candy
• Hard Pretzels
• Jerky
• Pizza Crust

Sticky Foods

• Bubble Gum
• Caramels
• Sticky Candy (Taffy, Gummy Bears)

Remember, your braces have a job to do so keep them in great condition. Not even braces work well under stress! However, we understand that accidents happen, so dont worryDr. Lee andDr. Meyrowitz are here to help! Feel free to contact us if you have any additional questions about your braces or any other orthodontic topics. We look forward to hearing from you.