During Orthodontic Treatment, Healthy Smile Pharmacy Helps You Get Snacking
Snacks to eat with braces? no problem!
Remember the days when you fancied a snack and could move straight to ‘go’? Ah, those pre-fixed brace days when you never thought to appreciate biting into an apple or chomping on popcorn. We all know a Netflix binge isn’t the same without the snacks, but nowadays, sneaking a block of chocolate feels like the Orthodontic Police will knock at your door. Those old faithful snacks now fall into the ‘foods you can’t eat with braces’ category.
The problem with snacks and fixed braces?
Food and Fixed braces
One: Hard snacks like nuts and popcorn can knock your brackets off
Two: Sugar snacks are a risk to more vulnerable tooth enamel
Three: Food gets stuck in your braces (no prizes for guessing that!)
Four: You’re not the only one enjoying the snack – plaque’s snacking too!
Make mouthwashing then brushing your habit
rinsing and brushing remain key
While we do have a list of scrumptious snacks for you while you wear braces, the key is to rinse afterwards. All foods affect the acidity of your mouth and the key is to bring its natural PH back to levels that protect your teeth. Don’t be in a big rush to brush after snacks - rinse first to wash some of the acids away. Rinse, then brush.
Here’s your post snack routine for brace wearers:
get into the rhythm and oral health in braces follows
- Rinse after snacks with VITIS Orthodontic Mouthwash, if you don’t have your mouthwash to hand, rinse with water
- If you can, leave some time after rinsing and then brush your teeth
- Use your interdental brushes to winkle out those sneaky food particles
- Snacking away from home? Take an Orthodontic Travel Kit with you so you’ve got your tools to hand. Mini mouthwash? Check. Mini toothpaste? Yup. Access Toothbrush? You bet. Interdental brushes? Uh-huh. Orthodontic Wax, just in case you need to smooth things out? For sure.
Snacks to eat with braces
What can I eat in fixed braces when the munchies strike?
1. Swap textures – go soft
Yoghurts and fromage frais won’t break your braces. Vegan? Try dessert pots made with coconut milk. These sort of snacks are satisfying because they have that luxurious mouth feel with being creamy. Nom nom nom!
(Then rinse and brush – yes, we know it takes the edge off the fun, still ...)
2. Go full on fruit platter
Bite-sized and peeled is the way to go. Treat yourself to some smooth almond butter as a dip. You can really go down a rabbit hole of edible fruit arrangements and make your old food tech teacher proud. Everyone enjoys a fruit plate in the shape of a smiley face, right?
(Now rinse and brush – your favourite routine!)
VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE - LET'S KEEP ADDING TO YOUR MENU OF SNACKS TO EAT WITH BRACES
3. Crudites are cool
Peppers, celery, cucumber, carrots, all the stuff you were nagged to eat before braces, suddenly become more interesting when crisps are off the menu. Slice your veggies thinly because even veg can pack a punch if they’re too chunky for your braces. Try dips such as hummus, smooth peanut butter or treat yourself to one of those dip selections from the local supermarket. Sophistication has nothing on you!
(Rinse. Brush.)
4. Get cheesy with it
You’ve been craving cheese strings and now you have the perfect excuse to eat them. Crisps aren’t great when you’re wearing braces because they risk your brace and teeth (that soggy potato gets everywhere and hides) but you can enjoy a similar saltiness in cheese. Parmesan shavings are a great alternative.
(Do we need to say it? Rinse. Brush.)
GO FOR GOLD STANDARD AND INTERDENTAL BRUSH TOO
5. Smooth carbs
Remember, it’s all about adapting to the treatment. While it might have been a bag of kettle chips in the days before your brace, now you’re looking for something altogether smoother. Surprise yourself by turning to a pasta pot as a savoury snack. But make sure you’re not risking staining from a tomato sauce – go blonder with creamy sauces.
Bonus: they’re a soft snack to eat with braces, for those, my brace is pinching days.
(Guess what we’re going to say ...)
6. It’s pancake day on Saturdays! Or go fancy and call ‘em crepes!
We’re talking good old fashioned flour, eggs, milk mixed and fried in butter and a little oil. Lovely. For toppings, try to steer clear of sticky and sugary. Berries and bananas are good options. Squirty cream, anyone?
(Nothing chases pancakes better than rinsing and brushing when you’re in braces. Do it now!)
For now, you’ll need to say no to those foods to avoid with braces:
1. Sticky and chewy foods like toffee and chews. Your arch wire’s tough, but these foods can be its nemesis.
2. Boiled sweets and popcorn. Again, these are your brace’s enemy. They cause damage, they get trapped and you could be saying an early hello to your orthodontist before your next scheduled appointment. Long time, no see, oh, hang on ...
