Ice cream, popcorn, corn on the cob, fresh fruit… these are just a few summer foods that are often included at pool parties, family barbeques, and at-home movie nights. Sadly, your braces don’t love these treats as much as your tastebuds do. In fact, hard, crunchy, and sticky foods can increase your chances of experiencing an orthodontic emergency! Don’t worry – there are plenty of options that are delicious and braces-friendly. To learn what they are, read on.
First, A Few Foods You Should Avoid
When surveying a spread of food, there are a few things you should avoid, including:
- Raw veggies, like carrots and celery
- Crunchy treats, like corn chips and popcorn
- Chewy meat, like steak and BBQ ribs
- Whole fruits, like apples
- Sticky and hard candies, like lollipops
11 Delicious, Braces-Friendly, and Summer-Approved Foods
Luckily, there are significantly more items on the list of foods you can eat. Some popular options are:
- Macaroni salad
- Chili
- Deviled eggs
- Hot dogs (you may need to use a fork!)
- French fries
- Mashed potatoes
- Cooked vegetables, like asparagus and zucchini
- Beans
- Pudding
- Jello
- Ice Cream
What to Do If You Experience an Orthodontic Emergency
If you do experience an orthodontic emergency, do your best not to panic. If you’ve also fractured your jaw, are having difficulty breathing, or can’t control your bleeding, then you should call 9-1-1 or head to your nearest ER for medical attention. If it’s a more “routine” orthodontic emergency, like a broken bracket or wire, then call your orthodontist right away. From there, they can schedule you in for treatment as soon as possible, restoring your pain-free smile and getting your orthodontic treatment back on track.
Even though dietary restrictions with braces take some adjusting to, it’s easy once you realize how many foods you can eat. If you are ever unsure of what you should and shouldn’t eat, talk to your orthodontist!
About the Practice
To ensure we provide each of our patients with comprehensive, personalized, and world-class care, Simply Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics has a general dentist, pediatric dentist, and orthodontist in-house. As a result, we can help growing smiles with everything from routine checkups and traditional braces to orthodontic emergencies. If you want to learn more about summer foods that are braces-friendly or you’d like to schedule an appointment, don’t hesitate to visit our website or call (603) 635-1166.