Avoid Foods That Can Hurt Your Braces!

Published by Dr. Charles Gemmi

A Board Certified Orthodontist and a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, Dr. Charles Gemmi has been a practicing orthodontist with Orthodontics Limited since 2000 and is a member of the teaching staff at Einstein Medical Center. Orthodontics Limited is a Diamond+ Provider of Invisalign in Philadelphia and Hatboro, PA.

Those of you with braces know that just because they’re made of metal doesn’t mean they’re invincible. In fact, braces are pretty delicate and it’s 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 you’ll need braces for longer than originally planned…

So, how can you make sure you’re taking care of your braces and ensure that they stay functional and effective? According to Drs. Gemmi and Middleberg, 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 don’t worry—Dr. Gemmi and Dr. Middleberg 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.

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