Modern braces may be strong and reliable, but they should always be treated with care. From avoiding chewing gum to making smart food choices, there are several dental care tips for living with orthodontic appliances. Arkansas County patients trust Dr. Heathman and Dental Clinic of Stuttgart to provide premier braces and guide patients through aftercare.

To protect your teeth, the dentist recommends you avoid the following foods:  

• Popcorn: Hulls of popcorn can become lodged inside your braces or even break them. If you simply can’t part with these buttery morsels, try hulless popcorn. Labeled as such in grocery stores, you can snack at your favorite movie without the risk.
• Sticky Or Hard Candy: There’s nothing more delicious and detrimental to braces than sticky or hard candy. Avoid taffy, gummy bears, and the full variety of hard candies and chocolates at all costs. Enjoy fruit like grapes or melon instead to keep teeth healthy. 
• Ice: Many people like to chew on ice. If this sounds like you, curb your habit now. Eating ice is an easy way to break your braces. It’s also a great time to cut this out for good, as ice can damage your teeth. 
• Pretzels & Chips: These mainstay snacks are too hard and rigid for braces. You can choose light crackers to munch on instead. 
• Hard Cookies: While you have braces, avoid hard biscuits, cookies, and crackers. Opt instead for light or soft cookies and healthy treats like yogurt and bananas. 

By avoiding certain foods, you’ll keep your braces intact and receive better results for your teeth. Contact Arkansas’ Dental Clinic of Stuttgart at (501) 483-­3939 to discuss your teeth and how braces may be able to help. For complete information on Dr. Heathman’s dental care services, including teeth whitening and dentures, visit the practice’s website.