Summer Foods to Enjoy (and Avoid) While Wearing Braces
June 1, 2024
Whether you’re preparing to begin orthodontic treatment this summer or already have braces, it’s important to be mindful of your diet beyond just how it might look in vacation photos. With brackets and wires on your teeth, some summer foods can interfere with your smile-straightening progress. Read on to discover which summer foods are best for your braces and which ones to avoid.
Summer Foods Braces Can Enjoy
- Cooked or Grilled Veggies
- Macaroni Salad & Other Pastas
- Various Chilis
- Pudding
- Beans
- Deviled Eggs
- French Fries
- Ice Cream
Summer Foods Braces Should Avoid
- Hard Fruits & Veggies – While fruits and vegetables are usually a healthy choice, it’s best to avoid hard varieties when you have braces. Biting into these foods can dislodge brackets or bend wires, potentially causing damage and requiring a trip to the orthodontist.
- Tough or Bone-In Meats – Summer cookouts and BBQs are cherished traditions, but they can be tricky for those with braces. Many popular dishes, like pork ribs, chicken wings, and turkey legs, are tough and can loosen the bands on your braces. Plus, some foods can get stuck in your brackets or between your teeth.
- Sticky Sweets – Summer vacation often means enjoying sticky candies, but if you have braces, these treats can be less appealing. Sticky and chewy sweets can cling to brackets and wires, making them hard to clean off. It’s best to avoid candies like taffy, caramel, toffee, and licorice. Instead, choose safer alternatives such as plain chocolate or fudge.
Wearing braces in the summer does require some dietary adjustments, but there are still plenty of seasonal treats you can enjoy while achieving a straighter smile!
About the Practice
At Oceanside Orthodontics, we focus on preventive oral health care. However, when needed, our experienced dentists are fully trained to address misaligned teeth. We offer orthodontic treatments like traditional metal braces to give you a straighter beam. Based in Fort Lauderdale, our team will help you achieve the beautiful, healthy smile that you’ve always dreamed of. If you’re interested in learning more about getting braces, or you want to schedule an appointment with Oceanside Orthodontics, you can visit our website or call our office at (954) 737-2300.
