While getting braces may seem like the end of your snacking days, it isn’t that bad. We’re going to introduce you to a lot of braces-friendly snacks to keep your sweet tooth happy during treatment. Although hard and chewy candies are out of the picture, chocolate (with no nuts or crunchies) is perfectly fine.
It’s Not the End of the World
You’ve probably seen the list of foods to avoid with braces. Although it might seem you can’t have anything beyond mashed potatoes, it isn’t horridly restrictive. To recap, you should avoid the following types of foods:
- Sticky foods, such as caramel, gum, and Starburst
- Hard foods, such as candy and nuts
- Chewy foods that require “pulling,” such as crusty rolls, licorice, and bagels
- Crunchy foods like popcorn and chips
Additionally, you should avoid things you bite into, like sandwiches on crusty bread, apples, and corn on the cob. The biggest take-away is that all of these items can damage your braces. If you damage your appliances, your treatment may take longer.
If you crave popcorn, you can substitute the puffed corn variety, which offers the taste of popcorn without the kernels. Pirate’s Booty is one example of a good substitution. By keeping in mind that your main goal in avoiding certain types of foods is to keep from damaging your braces, it opens up a wide variety of alternatives.
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Among some of the braces-friendly snacks that you can have are:
- Ice cream, smoothies, sherbets, sorbets, and milkshakes
- Chocolate (plain without candy-coating, nuts, or crunchies)
- Soft fruits such as berries and bananas
- Cakes, muffins, brownies, and soft cookies (avoid nuts and hard decorative sprinkles)
- Soft drinks (should be limited to one per day)
- Some pies and cheesecake
Using your common sense and asking yourself if a selected food item will damage your braces will help greatly in making good choices.
Some “Forbidden” Items Can Be Braces-Friendly Snacks
Although we hope you don’t make a constant habit of it, we understand that sometimes you just crave certain things. Nothing else will work. Rather than denying the craving, think about what you can do to make a particular food safer for your braces. Although it won’t work for everything, there are some things that can be worked around.
If you want an apple, you can peel it and cut it into bite-sized pieces rather than biting into it. In moderation, and with careful chewing, some off-limit foods can be eaten occasionally. This allows you to have the taste and texture without damaging your appliances.
Pizza, although not a “snack,” can also be eaten in moderation. The deep-dish or pan-style crust is usually soft enough. You will need to avoid hard, crunchy toppings like bacon and crispy pepperoni. It also helps to use a knife and fork to cut your pizza rather than biting into it and pulling.
If you crave nuts, try creamy peanut butter. Reese’s Cups are a great way to satisfy a peanut-taste craving while protecting your braces. As you can see, having braces doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy great snacks during your treatment. Practice moderation and good oral hygiene to avoid tooth decay and you’ll be fine.
Call Amboy Orthodontics if You Have Questions
If you have any questions about braces-friendly snacks or other concerns about your treatment, please contact Amboy Orthodontics at 732-442-7300. Our staff will be happy to assist you, answer questions, and offer tips to care for your braces.
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