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What To Avoid With Braces and Why Philadelphia, PA
Girl With Braces Philadelphia PA

Having braces is an exciting time because you know that the end result will be a beautiful smile. While there are certain aspects of having braces that are not necessarily fun, you know that they are worth it. One important aspect of wearing braces is knowing what you need to avoid so that your braces stay in place and your orthodontic treatment goes smoothly.

Below is a list of things to avoid and why it’s important to follow the rules!

  • Hard Candy – You want to avoid hard candies while you are wearing braces because hard candy can damage the brackets on your teeth. Biting into hard candies can easily pop off a bracket. When brackets are not correctly held in place on the teeth, the teeth will not move into their ideal positions.
  • Popcorn – This salty and buttery treat needs to be put on the shelf while you are wearing braces. While there is always the likelihood that biting into a hard kernel can pop off a bracket, popcorn also poses another risk. The hulls of popcorn are notorious for getting lodged between the teeth. With braces, these husks are extremely difficult to remove. Hulls can stay stuck between the teeth for weeks, beginning to rot and causes severe damage to your gum and oral health.
  • Sticky Foods – Chewing gum and eating sticky foods like caramel or Laffy taffy need to be put on hold while you are undergoing orthodontic treatment. Sticky foods can easily stick to and wrap around brackets, pulling them off the teeth. Sticky foods can also get wedged between the wires and brackets, leaving a sticky mess that is difficult to clean.
  • Staining Foods and Beverages – You must be careful with your colored food and beverage choices. This is especially true if you have clear braces, but also applies to metal braces, because dyes in foods and drinks can easily stain your brackets and teeth. Red, blue, green, and purple dyes are the worst for leaving behind stains on your teeth. It is important to avoid foods and beverages with these dyes to prevent unwanted stains on your teeth that will be visible after your braces are removed.
  • Lots of Sugar – You will want to avoid a high sugar diet while undergoing orthodontic treatment. Your teeth will be harder to clean, and if you have a lot of sugar inside your mouth, you are setting yourself up for cavities and decay. It is best to make healthy dietary options while wearing braces to protect your smile.

Posted on behalf of Broad Street Braces

1819 S Broad St
Philadelphia, PA , 19148

Phone: (215) 234-3030

Email:

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Fri – 8am to 1pm

Our Patient Reviews

Broad Street Braces

5.0 / 5.0

Based on 387 reviews

Felicia W

Excellent staff, excellent service with trusty expertise. It was overall a great experience for my son and myself. We are highly satisfied with all the services performed today.

Alisa O

I am pleased with this Orthodontist location because they are very prompt with appointments. It's never a long wait. The staff is kind and willing to fix misunderstandings quickly. They actually play relaxing music in the office. My favorite staff member is Trinh because she answers questions gracefully. Trinh always greets me with a smile. Glad I chose this dental office.

Phuong H

Really nice office. Very clean and modern. Everyone is friendly, especially Trinh. She is great. Love taking my son here.

Refie H

The staff is really friendly, very satisfied with the service. The place is cozy, and also clean, seriously I recommend it to anyone who wanted to have the braces on

Kevin A

My mom received THE BEST service here. Consultations & visits were a breeze & the staff was always so kind. Their bilingual employee, Sara, was very helpful because my mom only speaks Spanish.

Hung C

This is my son’s first time here. This Office is very nice and very professional. Great service. Mrs. Trinh did an excellent job helping us translate Vietnamese. She is really nice and did a great job! Thank you so much!

Angela D

Great experience!! welcoming and good at what they do. Ask for amanda- she's the best!

Thang N

Many friends told me that Trinh always does a great job and I am very lucky today to have her put my braces on! They look great. I am looking forward to coming back for my second appoinment. The treatment coordinator, Rachel is very friendly and welcoming. She is awesome. I would recommend anyone who is interested in braces to come to Broad Street Braces. You would love Dr. Neil!