Going through orthodontic treatment is the perfect opportunity to get creative with your meal prep for yourself or your child! When you visit one of our offices your complimentary consultation, our team will help you prepare for your new life with braces. We’ll tell you everything you need to know about caring for braces, eating with braces, and ensuring the best possible results. While you will need to dedicate some extra attention to your oral hygiene, as well as your diet with braces, you aren’t as limited as you may think.
Is there any braces-friendly candy?
You’ll be pleased to know that yes, you can still enjoy candy with braces! As long as you opt for braces-friendly candy and commit to cleaning your teeth after chowing down, you’re free to give in to your candy cravings (within reason). Here are some braces-friendly candies to try:
– KitKat
– 3 Muskateers
– Cotton candy
– Wafers: strawberry, chocolate and vanilla
– Soft cookies
Chocolate lovers are in luck with braces! Most chocolate treats and candies (without nuts) are still on the table. You can have any candy that doesn’t have nuts, isn’t excessively chewy (like Laffy Taffy or caramel), and isn’t hard (like Jolly Ranchers). You can suck on hard candies like Jolly Ranchers, mints, lollipops, and Ring Pops, but don’t bite into them!
Biting into hard candies can result broken brackets or wires. Next thing you know, you’re visiting us for an emergency orthodontist appointment to repair damaged braces!
Emergency Appointments
Emergency appointments to repair damaged braces or appliances can be easily avoided – by avoiding certain foods. by carefully following our instructions. Check out these lists of foods foods to eat and avoid with braces! It’s save you the ‘oh-no-caramel-is-stuck-in-my-braces’ fiasco.
Braces-Friendly Cookbooks
One of our favorite books for braces-friendly recipes is now also in Kindle format. The Braces Cookbook: Recipes You (and Your Orthodontist Will Love) by Pamela Waterman is a good resource. It has 50 comfort food recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner and new recipe additions that kids can make, including five new snack ideas. Waterman also wrote a follow-up book, The Braces Cookbook 2: Comfort Food with a Gourmet Touch, that includes appetizers, breakfast, lunch, dinners and desserts. With traditional braces, you may feel like your food options are limited, but all it takes is some creativity and a little bit of research to find some braces-friendly recipes! Don’t forget to use your resources – a quick Pinterest search can reveal hundreds of delicious braces-friendly recipes in seconds.
You have options in orthodontics!
If you’re not ready to give up your favorite nut-based, braces-unfriendly food, it may be a good idea to consider Invisalign clear aligners. Invisalign is removable, so you won’t have any dietary restrictions throughout your treatment. Here’s how to eat your favorite snacks with Invisalign:
- 1. Simply remove your clear aligners.
- 2. Rinse you clear aligners with water.
- 3. Place them in your Invisalign carrying case.
- 4. Chow down with no restrictions! All foods are still on the table.
- 5. When you’re done, give your teeth a quick brush and rinse your mouth out.
- 6. Rinse your clear aligners and give them a quick brush.
- 7. Pop your clear aligners back in place and resume your treatment!
We’re proud to be Invisalign Diamond Plus Providers offering Invisalign for all ages. Our experienced orthodontists are trusted in the community and here to help you make the best decision for your smile.
Still have questions about eating with braces?
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions! We’re here to guide you through your treatment process, from your very first visit, to your last appointment.
If you’re looking for a top orthodontist in Wesley Chapel, North Tampa, South Tampa or East Bradenton, we’d love to meet you! Request a complimentary exam for you or your child today.
