Living With Braces
Check your braces once a week for anything loose or bent. If something comes loose or a wire breaks, call our office so we can arrange a long-enough appointment to repair it.
Oral Hygiene Overview
Overall, people with braces should avoid hard, chewy, crunchy, and sticky foods. Avoiding foods you like may not be fun, but eating things that you're not supposed to eat can cause broken wires or brackets. This can be painful and prolong your treatment.
Chewy or crusty bread
Such as bagels — tear into small pieces or remove the crust.
Meat on a bone
Such as spare ribs or chicken wings — remove the meat from the bone, do not bite on the bone.
Corn on the cob
Cut off the cob before eating.
Apples and carrots
Cut into small pieces.
Fruits or vegetables with pits
Do not bite on the pits.
Finally, don't chew on any hard items such as ice, pens, pencils, or fingernails.
Comfort
After braces are placed in the mouth, it is normal for the teeth to be sore for about 2 or 3 days. Motrin or Advil will help relieve this discomfort. Some irritation to the cheeks and tongue is normal, but if you feel anything sharp is poking you or any sores are developing, please cover the area with dental wax and call our office.
Elastics
Attached to your braces, elastics (rubber bands) exert the proper force that creates the right amount of pressure to move teeth. In order for this force to remain constant, elastics must be worn all the time and changed every day. Any time missed in wearing your elastics will only make your treatment take longer, so remember these things:
This information is provided for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please call our office to discuss your individual needs.
Meet The Team
Founder · A quarter of a century of experience
Founder of Brace Central Orthodontics and Brooklyn Orthodontics with a quarter of a century of experience. She is an NYU College of Dentistry graduate and a Columbia University trained orthodontist, treating children, teens, and adults with braces and Invisalign.
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Orthodontist
Board-certified Brooklyn orthodontist trained at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, with a three-year orthodontic residency at Maimonides Medical Center. Treats children, teens, and adults with braces, Invisalign®, and a full range of orthodontic appliances.
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Orthodontist
Brooklyn-born orthodontist, NYU College of Dentistry graduate with a three-year residency in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics at Maimonides Medical Center. Known for meticulous, compassionate, individualized care.
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Orthodontist · Diplomate, American Board of Orthodontics
Board-certified orthodontist (Diplomate, ABO 2025), NYU College of Dentistry graduate with residency training at St. Barnabas Hospital, NY. Treats children, teens, and adults with braces, clear aligners, and orthopedic appliances. Speaks English and Russian.
Read full bioBrooklyn Orthodontist
Walk in for a complimentary visit, or give us a call and we'll find a time that works for you.
(718) 998-1888FAQ
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first evaluation by age 7. Most kids don't need treatment that early, but catching alignment or bite issues early lets us plan the simplest, shortest treatment later. Our doctors evaluate hundreds of kids a year at this exact stage, the consultation is free and takes about 30 minutes.
Both. We treat kids, teens, and adults with functional appliances, braces, or Invisalign. Adult orthodontics has grown significantly in Brooklyn, and our three orthodontists treat adult cases from simple alignment to full bite correction.
Yes on both. We accept most major dental insurance plans that include orthodontic benefits, and our team files the paperwork for you. For the portion not covered by insurance, we offer flexible in-house payment plans spread across the length of treatment, with no interest.
Yes. Your first visit at our Coney Island Avenue office is free, whether you're exploring braces, Invisalign, or just want a professional opinion on whether treatment is necessary.
Our office is on Coney Island Avenue and we treat patients from across south Brooklyn, the five boroughs, and the tri-state area: Sheepshead Bay, Brighton Beach, Midwood, Bensonhurst, Borough Park, Marine Park, and Coney Island. We're a short drive or B/Q train ride from most of south Brooklyn.
