Between mornings by the pool, afternoon barbeques with your family, and evening trips to the movie theatre, lots of summertime activities revolve around one thing: eating! At first, navigating summer foods with braces may seem tricky. However, by filling your plate up with the right items, you won’t feel like you’re missing out. With this in mind, keep reading to learn all about the foods you should and shouldn’t eat if you have braces this summer.
8 Summer Foods to Avoid with Braces
Although your braces are extremely durable, they aren’t indestructible. To prevent a loose bracket or broken wire from derailing your treatment timeline, it’s important to avoid the foods that can potentially cause damage, such as:
- Crunchy fruits, like apples.
- Raw vegetables (i.e., carrots, celery, etc.).
- Popcorn kernels.
- Corn on the cob.
- Crusty bread, bagels, and other hard grains.
- Meat on the bone.
- Seeds and nuts.
- Chewy, hard, or sour candy.
10 Braces-Friendly Options to Fill Up on Instead
Now that we’ve shared all the foods you should avoid, let’s discuss all of the delicious summer foods you can enjoy without worry! At the next family picnic or barbeque, fill your plate with braces-friendly options, including:
- Mashed potatoes.
- Cooked vegetables (make sure they are completely soft).
- Fresh fruit smoothies.
- Frozen yogurt.
- Pasta and potato salads.
- Macaroni and cheese.
- Baked beans.
- Deviled eggs.
- Soft fruits (i.e., bananas, kiwi, etc.).
- Meatballs, grilled fish, and other soft meats.
What to Do If You Accidentally Break Your Braces
Amid an orthodontic emergency, do your best not to panic. Instead, gather any broken appliances and get in touch with your orthodontist’s office right away. From there, their team will provide you with step-by-step instructions on what to do next based on your specific situation. Once it’s time for your appointment, the orthodontist will swiftly intervene to restore your pain-free smile and get you back on track with your treatment plan.
When presented with a delicious display of food, it can be tempting to forget all about the dietary restrictions you must follow with braces. However, the last thing you want is for your pleasant afternoon to turn into a stressful visit to your orthodontist’s office! Therefore, make sure to stick to the above braces-friendly foods this summer.
About the Author
Dr. Leila Nezakatgoo began her journey to becoming an orthodontist by completing her dental doctorate at the Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine. From there, she attended Howard University, which is where she earned her certificate of orthodontics. More than 15 years later, she is still extremely passionate about helping patients of all ages achieve their dream smile! If you are interested in getting braces or need treatment for an orthodontic-related injury, don’t hesitate to get in touch with her via website or by phone at 978-794-0000.