You can’t wait until your traditional braces are done straightening your teeth! Life with a fantastic smile is within sight. There’s just one small hiccup. How can you enjoy a summer cookout without damaging your orthodontics? You don’t want to prolong your treatment because of a broken bracket, but skipping out on backyard hangouts isn’t any fun, either.
Fortunately, this is one instance where you can have your hamburger and eat it too! Keep reading for a list of braces-friendly (and not-so-friendly) BBQ classics.
Sides and Apps to Tie You Over
While you’re waiting for the grill pro to cook up some juicy meats and tender vegetables, you might want a snack to help satisfy your rumbly stomach. Soft options like pasta (or potato) salad, deviled eggs, chili, macaroni, and watermelon are totally on the table! Just avoid seeds if you do reach for some fruit.
Savor The Main Event
When your grill master finally decides the meats are cooked to perfection, there’s nothing wrong with going for a hamburger, hotdog, chicken breast, or fish. What will probably give you more trouble are tough, chewy proteins like steak, or ones that require tearing, like ribs.
While pulled pork and shredded chicken aren’t likely to pop a bracket, they are incredibly annoying to clean out of your braces. It’s up to you whether the extra time you’ll spend brushing and flossing is worth it!
Got Room for Dessert?
Many summertime treats are easy on braces. Ice cream is probably the first dessert to come to mind, but popsicles, frozen yogurt, pudding, Jello, fruit smoothies, and soft baked cookies are also valid options.
Orthodontic Hazards
Those are just examples of what you can eat with your metal braces. Since there’s actually quite a few foods for you to choose from, it would also be good to know what to avoid. Here are the basics:
- Small but dangerous crunchies like seeds, nuts, and popcorn
- Hard, “snapping” fruits and vegetables, like apples and corn on the cob
- Boney or tough meats like chicken wings and jerky
- Sticky, brittle treats like taffy, toffee, cotton candy, and caramel
You might have noticed a pattern here. When in doubt, ask yourself whether the snack is crunchy, sticky, or requires tugging. If so, it’s usually best to go with something else!
Mid-Meal Accidents Happen
Sometimes, try as you might, you still end up breaking a bracket or damaging your wire. That’s okay! It’s actually fairly common, and not something to be embarrassed about. To your orthodontist, what’s more important is fixing the issue so you don’t have to be uncomfortable. After a quick adjustment, you can get right back to scheduling summer cookouts!
About the Author
As an experienced general dentist and qualified orthodontist, Dr. Georgy understands the relationship between your teeth and your braces better than most. If you’d like to learn more about which foods can negatively affect your treatment, she’d be happy to talk with you. Dr. Georgy can address all of your orthodontic needs, so don’t be afraid to ask for repairs, either! To contact her office, call 918-201-1414 or visit her website to schedule an appointment.