Now that I have braces, what can I eat? Dr. Bernard explains

You just got braces and Drs. Bernard or Eimer have informed you that over the next several months you will want to avoid eating anything sticky, hard, crunchy, or chewy. What does this leave for you to eat? Lettuce? Nothing?

Luckily, there was someone else wondering the same thing when she first got braces! Brenda Waterman, 13, decided she was going to find a way to have her cake and eat it too, so she created a variety of “braces-friendly” recipes that allow you to enjoy your favorite treats without interfering with your orthodontic care! Her cookbook, “The Braces Cookbook: Recipes you (and your Orthodontist) will Love,” gives patients a variety of delicious recipes, safe to eat with braces; plus additional tips and advice for packing lunches, what to eat at parties, and braces-friendly restaurant dishes! There’s even a section with tips for dealing with the soreness that can occur when your braces or appliance are adjusted. Enjoy the foods you love – even with braces!

Here is a delicious, sneak peek recipe from “The Braces Cookbook:”

Wonderful Waffles

Forget the recipe that came with your waffle iron – this recipe will redefine fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth goodness. The secret to delicious waffles is letting the batter "sit" for five minutes before pouring into the waffle iron. Top cooked waffles with syrup, jam, fresh fruit or even whip cream. Makes about 5 servings!

Preheat your waffle iron according to the directions. You may want to lightly spray it with vegetable oil before heating.
• 3 cups flour
• 2 Tbl + 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 Tbl sugar
• 4 cups milk
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil

In a large bowl, whisk (or use electric mixer on low) together all ingredients. Let batter sit for about five minutes to activate the baking powder.

When waffle iron is ready, pour about 1/3 cup of batter onto each of the four squares (experiment with your iron – you don't want the batter overflowing). Gently close the cover and set your timer as the manufacturer suggests. Do not lift the cover while they bake. When done, carefully lift one edge with a flat spatula and pull the waffle away from the iron. Keep waffles warm on a plate under a clean dishtowel while the others bake.

Enjoy this great braces-friendly dish and Happy New Year!

--From the team at Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics

Happy Holidays from Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics!

The holiday season is upon us, and as Drs. Bernard and Eimer and their team at Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics reflect on the year that was, we’d like to ask you, our wonderful patients: What’s your favorite part about the holidays? Being with your loved ones? A clean slate for the new year? Opening presents by the fireplace? All the delicious food? Also, what gift are you most looking forward to getting this year?

We’d love if you shared with us all the things you love about the holidays. Stay warm, and don’t forget to stay away from those sweets!

--The team at Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics

Why Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics?

What separates Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics from the rest? Other than making patients feel at home and creating spectacular smiles with care by achieving efficient and comprehensive treatment, we live by 21 distinct features that make us the logical choice for your orthodontic treatment.

1. We encourage referrals at age 7
2. We do not charge for exams
3. No charge for Observation Visits (every 6 months)
4. Complimentary (no charge) Digital Pan and Digital Photos for all exam patients 9 years and older
5. 94% of our treatment is done in one Phase
6. Early treatment only for cross-bites, habits, mild Class III (maxillary retrusion), severe Class II
7. Fixed appliances instead of removable to ensure cooperation
8. One location, No “Satellites”
9. Appointments as early as 7:00 am, as late as 5:00 pm
10. Each patient treated by only one orthodontist
11. Two orthodontists available for emergencies 24/7
12. Orthodontist owned building in low traffic area (only tenant)
13. Large reception area with water, coffee, tea, lending library
14. Kids game room with Playstation, Xbox, Nintendo, blocks, books, etc.
15. Power toothbrush (Braun Oral-B) given to each Full Start
16. Emergency Kit (pliers, wire cutter, wax, brace-relief) given to each Start
17. On deck seating in large treatment area – parents watch treatment
18. Doctor gives update to parent, parent encouraged to watch, ask questions
19. Complimentary manual brushes, oral proxybrushes given throughout treatment
20. Incentive tokens (Wahoos) given for good brushing, cooperation, appliance care
21. Quote exact fee at the Initial Exam appointment

Hope this helps! Give us a call if you have any questions!

--The team at Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics

Patient reviews for Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics

Drs. Bernard & Eimer, who serve North Canton and surrounding areas, have been receiving some great patient reviews lately! Check out what our current patients are saying about our doctors and their team!

"Dr. Bernard and staff are very nice. They make you feel welcome. We like how Dr. Bernard calls after certain appointments to see how the kids are doing" ~ Jeff F.

"Having my 3rd child in Dr Bernard's care, I can personally say, I am so happy with the treatment plans, the caring staff, the cleanliness of the facility & the value you all put on my time as a mom. In the 11+ yrs of coming, I do not remember ever waiting more than 10 min for an appointment. All the staff members have always been friendly & helpful. You all seemed to be doing what you love & it shows! Thank you for your continued professional care & support you give to the teens! Our family thanks you!!!" ~ Daniel R.

"I love the entire staff. They have been great and very patient with a not so good patient. Getting braces and having surgery was a difficult ordeal for me to go through. They have all been very understanding and supportive" ~ Diane B.

"What I like best is knowing that Dr. Bernard knows what he is doing. He also had my Mom, Aunt and Uncle as patients. So it was a comfort to look at there teeth and know how well mine were going to look when I got the braces off. And sure enough they looked FANTASTIC!" ~ Nicole B.

"Everyone in the office is so friendly and they are always on time!!" ~ Joseph D.

Drs. Bernard & Eimer want to know: How was your Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving has once again come and gone, but the calories remain. Drs. Bernard & Eimer want to know: What did you do? Where did you go? Anything exciting? Also, what are you up to in December?

If you have any stories or pictures to share with us, we'd encourage you to send them along or call our office and ask how.

--The team at Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics

Dispelling rumors about chewing gum, from Drs. Bernard & Eimer

Drs. Bernard & Eimer know the rumors going around – mostly among young people – that once you swallow a piece of chewing gum it will stake a claim and take up residency in your stomach for at least seven years! We really hate to take all the fun out of the mystery, but the truth is that chewing gum, when swallowed, will enter the stomach and move through the digestive system just like any other piece of food and leave the body long before seven years! So, if you ever have accidentally swallowed a piece of gum, there is no need to worry!

This being said, gum does not have any dietary benefits, so while it’s not harmful to swallow, you still want to avoid swallowing it. If you are a gum-chewer, make sure you chew sugarless gum, because gum with sugar can lead to cavities. Sugarless gum still has the same amount of flavor, but with less cavity causing ingredients. You see, when the bacterium in your mouth breaks down sugar, what’s left behind is acid. This acid eats away at the enamel coating of your teeth, causing holes that we call cavities. Cavities can lead to other long term mouth problems if they are not treated in time, so it is best to try and avoid overexposing your teeth to too many harmful substances!

Happy (sugar-free) gum chewing! From Drs. Bernard & Eimer and team.

Braces 101, from Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics

Should you need to call Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics in case you sustain any damage to your braces, we can help you more effectively if you can tell us exactly which piece is in trouble! Here’s a handy diagram and corresponding list of all the parts that make up your braces.



Elastic Tie: Tiny rubber band that fits around the bracket to hold the archwire in place.

Archwire: The main wire that acts as a track to guide the teeth along. It's changed periodically throughout treatment, as teeth move to their new positions.

Loop in Archwire: Frequently used for closing space left by an extraction. Many archwires don't have a loop.

Bracket: Small attachment that holds the archwire in place. Most often, a bracket is cemented directly onto the tooth's surface, eliminating the need for a band.

Headgear Tube: Round, hollow attachment on the back bands. The inner bow of the headgear fits into it.

Coil Spring: Fits between brackets and over archwire to open space between teeth.

Tie Wire: Fine wire that is twisted around the bracket to hold the archwire in place.

Band: A thin ring of metal fitted around a tooth and cemented in place. The band provides a way to attach the brackets to the tooth.

Hook: Welded or removable arm to which elastics (rubber bands) are attached.

Elastic (Rubber Band): Small rubber band that is hooked between different points on the appliance to provide pressure to move the teeth.

Hope this helps! Give us a call if you have any questions!

--Drs. Bernard & Eimer and team