Now that your child has just started their orthodontic treatment, your orthodontist in Richardson probably mentioned which foods they should avoid to prevent an orthodontic emergency from occurring. While it first it can be tough to make these changes, it’s worth it for your child. Eating the wrong foods while wearing braces could cause significant interruptions or damaged dental hardware.
To make the process easier, here are some foods to avoid as well as foods to include more often in your child’s diet.
The Worst Foods for Braces
If your child eats these foods regularly, they’ll need to find an alternative. These foods are the most prone to damaging orthodontic hardware as well as getting caught inside it, which can lead to discomfort. Be sure to tell them that if they avoid these foods, their treatment won’t be any longer than it needs to be. They include:
- Hard cookies or crackers
- Nuts
- Popcorn
- Gum
- Ice
- Pretzels
- Corn chips
- Hard or sticky chocolate
- Caramel
- Hard taco shells or tortilla chips
All these foods are generally not good for your oral health in general, so by avoiding them during orthodontic treatment, your child will also be less susceptible to tooth decay. Plus, it will make oral hygiene much easier, so push these positives if your child isn’t happy when making these adjustments.
Foods That Require More Preparation
Fortunately, your child doesn’t have to give up all the foods they enjoy during orthodontic treatment. When properly served in small enough pieces, these foods are fine to eat. They include:
- Chewy breads (i.e. pizza crust and bagels)
- Crunchy vegetables (i.e. carrots, celery, radishes, and bell peppers)
- Crunchy fruits (i.e. pears and apples)
In their traditional form, certain foods wouldn’t be advisable to consume while wearing braces. However, some foods can be prepped in a way that makes them orthodontic-friendly. For example, instead of eating corn directly off the cob, remove them after cooking. The same goes for ribs or other meats typically served with the bone still attached.
The Best Foods to Eat While Wearing Braces
Luckily, there are still many delicious foods your child can enjoy while wearing dental braces in Richardson. Take this as an opportunity to introduce them to new foods they might not otherwise eat. Foods that are safe for your child to eat include:
- Soft fruits (i.e. berries, peaches, and bananas)
- Dairy products (i.e. eggs, yogurt, milk, and cheese)
- Pasta
- Rice
- Soft tortillas
- Pastries (i.e. biscuits, muffins and pancakes)
- Seafood
- Soft meats (i.e. chicken, meatballs, and deli meats)
- Soft-cooked beans
Keep in mind that your child can still satisfy their sweet tooth occasionally. Many sweet foods are also safe because of their soft consistency. Pudding, ice cream, jelly, smoothies, and cake are all great wayz to enjoy dessert while straightening teeth. Just make sure to keep the sweets to a minimum and that their oral care routine is sufficient.
Don’t let your child’s orthodontic care last longer than needed. Schedule an appointment with your orthodontist in Richardson today!
About the Author
Dr. Nathan Coughlin is a board-certified orthodontist and Diplomate of Orthodontics. He was also awarded the Outstanding Orthodontic Achievement Award while earning his DDS degree from the University of Southern California School of Dentistry. To learn more tips on building a braces-friendly diet or about his practice, contact him at (972) 248-9119 or visit his website.
