Packing your child’s school lunch is a pretty important part of both your days—but when your child has traditional braces, it takes a little extra time and consideration to ensure that their meal is braces-friendly! Certain foods can damage brackets and wires, while others may make eating uncomfortable or difficult. The good news is that there are plenty of delicious foods and snacks out there that won’t harm your child’s braces or set back their treatment’s progress. Here’s what you need to know.
Foods Your Child Should Avoid If They Wear Braces
Simply put, hard, crunchy, and sticky foods are the most problematic for braces. This includes all kinds of items, but a few of the biggest offenders are:
- Hard pretzels and chips
- Popcorn (especially the kernels)
- Sticky candies like caramel, taffy, and chewing gum
- Whole raw fruits and vegetables (apples, uncooked carrots, etc.)
- Tough pieces of bread (especially those with nuts and seeds)
Steering clear of these foods will help your child avoid unexpected orthodontic emergencies and keep their braces journey moving forward. This is also why it’s wise for your child to bring their lunch from home during their treatment; it gives you both the most control over their diet, as school cafeteria menus can often be unpredictable or inflexible.
Braces-Friendly Lunch & Snack Ideas
Here are some easy-to-pack options that are gentle on braces but still able to keep your child full and satisfied:
- Sandwiches on soft bread with sliced deli meats and cheeses. Avoid crusty bread or hard rolls, or any spreads that have nuts or small seeds.
- Soft side options like yogurt, applesauce, mashed potatoes, pasta salad, string cheese, scrambled eggs, Jell-O, and pudding all require virtually no chewing whatsoever.
- Soft fruits like bananas, seedless grapes, melon, cantaloupe, sliced strawberries, peaches, and many others are incredibly easy to bite and chew.
- Steamed or roasted vegetables, like carrots, broccoli, squash, etc., are very easy to chew once they’ve been cooked until they’re soft.
It’s also helpful to cut food into bite-sized pieces when possible, and regardless of what your child’s having for lunch, be sure they’re brushing their teeth after each meal to keep up with their oral hygiene!
A braces-friendly lunch doesn’t just protect your child’s braces; it also helps them stay comfortable and confident as they work towards a straighter smile. Doing your part to ensure they’re eating what they need can make a monumental difference!
About the Practice
Our team here at Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics has served the needs of families in New Britain and the surrounding area for several years, offering a wide variety of pediatric dental and orthodontic services for children of all ages, including traditional braces. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with our team to schedule an appointment for your child, please reach out online or call today for more information or assistance. Telephone: (860) 224-2419.