If Mother Nature didn’t grace you with a flawlessly straight set of pearly whites, braces are an excellent solution. Braces are an investment into the perfect smile and require commitment—including avoiding certain foods.

Here, the dentists of Athens Family Dental in Georgia explain five foods that can damage your braces.

5 Foods to Skip if You Wear Braces

1. Popcorn

The hulls of popped corn are just thin enough to slip easily between teeth—and into braces. If you simply must have your popcorn fix, turn to a store-bought hull-less version.

2. Candy

Sticky candy will gum up your braces, making cleaning impossible. Biting down on hard candy can damage the wires. Add to that sugary sweets increase your odds for cavities—and it’s best to steer clear of candy altogether!

3. Nuts

Nuts require your teeth to work overtime, as they demand a hard bite to crack. In general, steer clear of hard foods like croutons, hard cookies, and crackers.

4. Tough Meats

Like nuts, a hearty steak requires your teeth to do a lot of work—from tearing off a bite to chewing it down. If you absolutely must have meat, be sure to go for something less tough and cut it into small pieces first.

5. Ice

This goes for braces and nonbraces-wearers alike: If you have a habit of chewing on ice, quit ASAP! This can damage your mouth gear, as well as the enamel on your teeth.

If you have more questions about braces maintenance, the professionals at Athens Family Dental will be happy to help you. As the premiere dental clinic of Athens, Georgia, these professionals have been serving the local community with top-quality dentistry services for more than 25 years. You can request an appointment online or by calling (706) 548-3279.