When people get new braces it may feel like the end of the world. There is a list of foods to avoid that seems to include all their favorite foods and snacks. Don’t despair — there are plenty of braces friendly snacks that can be eaten while wearing braces. Your sweet tooth will not be denied!
Why Avoiding Some Foods is Important
Braces are tough. The tiny brackets and wires used at Goldkind Family Orthodontics are designed to apply the right amount of force to gently shift your teeth into new positions. Unfortunately, braces are also somewhat fragile. While the system works together to move teeth effectively, the individual components can still be damaged by certain foods or habits.
The main reason that you are asked to avoid certain types of foods is that they can damage your braces. Damaging the hardware could possibly extend your treatment period. Nobody wants that. But you also don’t want to live on mashed potatoes for two years!
When deciding whether or not to eat something, ask yourself if it could damage your braces. If the answer is yes, you should avoid that item until you get your braces off. We understand that having braces can be difficult. But there are plenty of braces-friendly snacks to keep your sweet tooth happy.
Safe Braces Friendly Foods
If you approach eating with the “will it damage my braces?” angle, you will see that there are still plenty of braces-friendly snacks.
Skip the mashed potatoes and head for the dessert table. With the exception of pecan pie, you can eat all the pie, but sharing is better. Pumpkin pie, apple pie, banana creme pie. You can even eat that incredibly decadent Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup cheesecake! Our only caution is to avoid the pies that have chunky bits and nuts.
Likewise with cakes, cupcakes, and soft cookies. Skip the nuts and the hard candy decorations, but eat the cake. Banana bread, zucchini bread, pumpkin bread, pound cake — anything without nuts and seeds.
Other braces-friendly snacks you can eat without guilt:
- Brownies (without nuts)
- Most donuts (avoid those with nuts)
- Ice cream (without nuts and frozen items)
- Pudding
- Custard and frozen custard
- Soft fruits like berries and bananas
- CHOCOLATE!! Avoid nut and caramel-filled, please
We told you having braces wasn’t the end of the world. You may have to skip the Milk Duds, but your sweet tooth will not shrivel up while you gain your perfect smile!
Changing Your Habits So You Can Eat Pizza and Apples
Yes, there are ways that you can “cheat” in order to eat some favorites like apples and pizza. This trick works with lots of things on the foods to avoid list. Because the main concern is to avoid damaging your braces, you can adjust your eating habits for certain foods.
For instance, order pizza with a pan-style crust and toppings that are not hard and crunchy. Use a knife and fork (yes, it is pretentious, but bear with us) to cut your pizza into bite-sized pieces. Rather than pulling and tearing with your front teeth, which can damage your braces, you can use your back teeth to chew the bites. You get pizza but protect your braces.
With apples, carrots, celery, and other hard fruits and veggies, cutting them into bite-sized pieces allows you to keep them also. You should peel apples because the skins can get caught in the brackets and wires. Always remember to chew with your molars rather than your front teeth. Pieces should be about a half-inch in size.
Frequently Asked Questions About Braces-Friendly Snacks
1. What are the best snacks for people with braces?
Snacks for people with braces should be soft, easy to chew, and gentle on brackets and wires. Braces-friendly snacks include pudding, yogurt, brownies without nuts, soft cookies, ice cream without hard mix-ins, bananas, berries, and custard. These options satisfy cravings while protecting your braces from damage.
2. Can you eat pumpkin seeds with braces?
No, pumpkin seeds are not recommended while wearing braces. Even though they seem small, pumpkin seeds are hard and can easily break brackets or bend wires. To avoid extending your treatment time, it’s best to skip pumpkin seeds until your braces are removed.
3. Are sweet snacks safe to eat with braces?
Yes, many sweet snacks are safe when chosen carefully. Soft desserts like cake, cupcakes, pudding, ice cream without nuts, and chocolate without caramel or nuts are excellent snacks for braces. Always avoid hard toppings, sticky fillings, and crunchy decorations that could damage your braces.
4. What are some braces friendly snacks I can eat every day?
Braces-friendly snacks are foods that are soft, non-sticky, and easy to chew without damaging brackets or wires. Everyday braces friendly snacks include yogurt, pudding, soft cookies, brownies without nuts, ice cream without hard mix-ins, bananas, berries, custard, and smooth cakes. Choosing the right braces friendly snacks helps protect your braces while still satisfying your cravings.
Questions About Braces Friendly Snacks?
If you have questions about braces friendly snacks or need personalized food guidance during your orthodontic treatment, feel free to contact Goldkind Family Orthodontics. Our friendly team is happy to help you make smart snack choices that protect your braces and keep your smile on track. Schedule a consultation today and get expert advice for a comfortable, stress-free braces journey.