Summertime is full of delicious foods! Whether you are enjoying tasty meats at a friend’s barbecue or indulging in a cool treat on a sweltering day, there are endless options for enjoying the flavors of this time of year. Of course, you still need to keep your smile in mind when you are making food choices, and extra caution is in order if you have braces. What can you eat with braces, and which foods should you avoid? This blog post provides some practical guidance.
Summer Foods That Are Safe for Braces
The primary thing to keep in mind when you are making food choices is that you do not want to eat anything that might damage your braces or cause discomfort. Here are some foods that are usually safe options:
- Beans
- Chili
- Macaroni salad
- French fries
- Burgers and hot dogs
- Jello
- Ice cream
- Pudding
- Seedless watermelon and other soft fruits
Summer Foods to Avoid with Braces
Some foods may damage your braces and/or endanger your oral health. Here are some examples of items that you should avoid or limit:
- Corn on the cob. Biting into this could easily damage your braces. You should cut the corn off the cob before consuming it.
- Corn chips and pretzels. These hard, salty treats might pop a wire loose!
- Popcorn. Kernels could get stuck in your braces, and unpopped kernels could even cause significant damage to both your teeth and orthodontia. Thin potato chips and soft cookies are safer snack choices for movie night.
- Sticky sweets. Treats like taffy, caramels, and cotton candy might get stuck in your braces and cause damage.
- Raw vegetables. Even though raw veggies are nutritious, some of them have a hard and rough texture that is not good for braces. It is best to stick to grilled or roasted veggies instead.
- Tough and chewy meats. Some cuts of meat require a lot of chewing power, and they can get caught in your braces. It is best to stick to more tender options, such as boneless fish or chicken.
Braces should not stop you from enjoying lots of delicious food this summer! Make wise choices so you can consume tasty morsels without endangering your orthodontic treatment.
Meet the Practice
Under the leadership of Dr. Amin Mason, Polars Orthodontic Center provides a broad range of services to our community, including traditional braces, clear aligners, and more. If you have questions about food choices during orthodontic treatment, our team would be pleased to speak with you. Get in touch with us at 614-781-6990.
