Summer is a great time for picnics, barbecues, and pool parties. You’ll be surrounded by many foods that will tantalize your taste buds, but will you be able to enjoy them? It’s true that there are many things you cannot eat when wearing braces, but you can still enjoy many of your favorite seasonal foods. Here is your go-to summer food guide for braces.
Foods to Avoid with Braces
Brackets and wires can interfere with eating certain foods. Not to mention, some foods can put you at risk of an orthodontic emergency, like a broken archwire. Here are the top foods you should avoid this summer:
- Hard Fruits and Vegetables: Hard fruits and vegetables can cause a bracket to pop off or a broken archwire, like carrots, apples, and celery.
- Crunchy Grains: Crunchy grains can get trapped in your brackets and wires. Some can even damage your braces.
- Bone-In Meat: It’s easy to accidentally bite the bone when chewing meat off ribs or chicken. Not only can this break your braces, but it can also chip a tooth.
- Seeds and Nuts: Nuts and seeds can get trapped in your gums and between your teeth. They can be nearly impossible to remove if you have to navigate around wires and brackets when brushing and flossing.
- Candy: Sticky or chewy candy can cling to your braces. They can be very difficult to remove, which can increase your risk of tooth decay, especially around your brackets.
Foods to Enjoy with Braces
There are still plenty of tasty foods you can enjoy while wearing braces. Here are a few foods your orthodontist supports:
- Cool Treats: Ice cream sundaes without any nuts or smoothies are a great way to cool down on a hot day.
- Soft Side Dishes: Pasta salad, baked beans, and other soft side dishes are great options at any picnic or barbecue.
- Soft Meats: Grilled fish and other soft meats are excellent alternatives to ribs or steak.
- Grilled or Cooked Vegetables: Cooked vegetables are softer, making them easier to chew and less damaging to your braces.
- Low-Fat Cheese: Low-fat cheese is a tasty snack that’s loaded with calcium to promote healthy teeth and bones.
While you enjoy many tasty summer foods, don’t forget to brush and floss your teeth after every meal. Maintain your regular adjustment appointments with your dentist to keep your treatment on track.
About Dr. Adi Davidyan
Dr. Davidyan earned his dental degree from the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and has completed advanced training in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, including Invisalign and traditional braces. He is a member of the American Dental Association and the American Association of Orthodontists. Request an appointment through his website or contact his office.