You could pack your child’s school lunch with anything from crisp red apples to delicious peanut brittle before they started orthodontic treatment. However, now that they have braces, there are a number of foods that are off-limits. Despite the importance of adhering to the dietary restrictions in preventing broken brackets or wires, grocery shopping does not have to be a hassle. Find out how to prepare a braces-friendly lunch by reading on!
These 10 items are braces-friendly for school lunches.
Braces are made from materials that are extremely durable and of high quality. Nevertheless, excessive pressure, such as biting into a whole apple, can cause them to loosen or snap. Therefore, softer foods are ideal for your child’s lunch, such as:
- Egg salad
- Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
- Applesauce
- Overnight oats
- Yogurt
- Jello
- Avocados
- Soft fruits, like bananas
- Soft-boiled eggs
- Smoothies
Keep an eye out! Braces can be broken by these 8 items.
No list would be complete without discussing what not to pack. While your child wears braces, you should avoid the following items:
- Raw fruits and vegetables, like apples and carrots.
- Nuts
- Corn on the cob
- Hard candy
- Bagels
- Beef jerky
- Popcorn
- Licorice
Here are a few other staples you may want to consider.
Choosing the right foods is only the beginning of a braces-friendly lunch. It is also important to keep your child’s teeth in pristine condition by avoiding sports drinks, fruit juices, and other sugary beverages. Instead, pack them a large bottle of water. In addition to keeping them hydrated, this will also assist in removing food particles and debris from their brackets.
It is also a smart idea to include some orthodontic essentials in their lunch box. Using dental wax, for example, could make their eating experience much more pleasant by covering any sharp edges. Furthermore, keeping a clean toothbrush on hand after each meal can help reduce their chances of developing cavities.
You should pack your child’s lunch so that it is delicious, nutritious, and, of course, won’t result in an orthodontic emergency. With the above list at your fingertips, the next time you go grocery shopping, you will be able to meet all of those goals.
In our kids’ dental and orthodontic office, we help our patients achieve straighter teeth and beautiful smiles through braces. However, we understand that the start of orthodontic treatment can be intimidating for some families. We place a lot of emphasis on patient education because of this! To learn more about what your child can and cannot eat or to schedule an appointment, please contact us today.
