Dentistry has changed a lot throughout the years, becoming considerably better and more comfortable for patients. This is very reassuring for parents searching for an experienced but kind pediatric dentist in Pearl City. However, if there’s one thing that hasn’t changed through time, it is that braces stand as a kid’s biggest enemy.
Besides the uncomfortable feeling of the brackets and the wires, braces come with a bunch of bothersome issues for kids, from having to be super detailed while brushing your mouth to restricting candy and sugary treats to prevent tooth decay.
Still, when it comes to ensuring a healthy smile, braces have no comparison. Here are some dietary tips for kids with braces to help you deal with the dietary restrictions they entail and survive in the attempt.
Foods Your Kid with Braces Should Avoid
Things won’t be the same after your child gets braces, and their diet isn’t an exception.
While you probably already paid attention to what they were eating, braces come with a series of restrictions on their own. Here are some foods they should avoid to prevent cavities and ensure the orthodontic treatment doesn’t bring any added difficulties.
1. Hard Foods
Avoiding hard foods is one of the most important things when eating with braces. Foods such as nuts, hard fruits like apples, raw vegetables, and ice cubes can damage the braces, leading to costly and time-consuming repairs. Not to mention, they make it more difficult for your child to eat.
This is crucial if your child’s braces have recently been fitted or adjusted, as their mouth will be more sensitive, and they may experience discomfort from hard foods.
Prevent your kid from biting into whole apples or carrots. Instead, cook them until they are softer or cut them into small pieces. Popcorn is another food item to stay away from since it can get caught in the braces and dislodge them.
2. Food that Stain
Braces make cleaning your teeth and maintaining proper oral hygiene harder, so foods that stain should also be avoided. That’s the case for tea, dark berries, tomato sauce, soy sauce, certain condiments like turmeric and curry, and drinks high in sugar, like Coke.
In the long term, stains will appear on the surface of the tooth covered by brackets, leaving patches in the middle of the teeth. The best way to avoid this is to simply remove these foods from your child’s diet.
Plus, there are fewer chances that they’ll develop cavities if they don’t eat these kinds of food!
3. Sticky Foods
It is common knowledge that certain foods can become stuck in braces, making it harder to take them off and raising the risk of plaque accumulation and tooth decay. That’s the case for sticky foods like gummy candies, chewing gum, caramel, and taffy.
Talk to your kids about avoiding these types of snacks, as they can become a breeding ground for bacteria—especially due to their sugar content. We don’t want all their efforts enduring braces for their dental health to be compromised because of sticky foods.
4. Crunchy Foods
Crunchy foods may not seem dangerous, but they can damage braces by placing excessive pressure on them. This force causes wires to bend or brackets to come loose, leading to discomfort and an emergency visit to the dentist. In a worst-case scenario, it may even extend the duration of their orthodontic treatment.
It’s best to keep your kids away from crunchy snacks like pretzels, chips, hard taco shells, and crusty bread. Instead, try to purchase softer bread varieties or remove the hard crusts.
5. Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and Juices
Sugar-sweetened beverages and juices are a big no-no for kids with braces.
In addition to having little to no vitamins and minerals kids require for healthy development, they also serve as a haven for bacteria, raising the risk of cavities. The same holds true for acidic beverages like lemonade. The acid can weaken enamel and damage their braces.
Drinking a lot of water is essential for children wearing braces because it keeps their mouths moist and clean. However, sugar-filled beverages are never a good alternative.
So, What Can they Eat?
Your child can still enjoy delicious food, even with braces. There are plenty of food options available to them, many of which are also healthier than sugary or sticky snacks like candy.
Here are some ideal foods for your kid with braces:
1. Soft Food
Soft foods are your child’s best friend when it comes to eating with braces. These choices are easy to chew, less likely to irritate or break the braces, and may feel like a healing salve for their sensitive gums.
Try introducing your children to soft foods like yogurt or smoothies. The softness and coolness of these products can help reduce swelling after a fitting appointment.
Soft fruits like bananas and plums and grains like rice also apply. For meat, go for options like chicken and fish. If they’re in the mood for a snack, you can offer your child soft cakes, pancakes, or pudding—and ice cream isn’t off the table! Just make sure they clean their teeth immediately after.
Most of these foods are gentle on their braces while also providing valuable nutrients to their diets (except ice cream – that one will only offer you bonus points as the coolest parent!)
2. Cooked Vegetables and Soft Fruits
If you want to incorporate recipes with vegetables into your child’s diet, steaming or boiling them can be a great strategy. Steamed vegetables have a softer texture and can be chewed more easily without damaging their braces.
Moreover, foods like broccoli, potatoes, carrots, and peas are packed with vitamins and minerals, contributing to your child’s balanced diet and overall well-being. The same goes for soft fruits like bananas and mashed apples, which provide essential vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants.
3. Dairy Products
Dairy products like milk, cheese, and pudding are braces-friendly and contribute to your child’s dental health.
These foods are high in calcium and support the orthodontic treatment of their teeth and bones by strengthening them and supplying vital nutrients like protein and vitamin D. This could also possibly shorten the course of treatment.
Learn How to Care for Your Child’s Braces with a Pediatric Dentist in Pearl City
Braces are a great investment for your kid’s oral health—even if they’re hard to deal with in the short term. However, with the proper approach, you can ensure their braces are taken care of while adding attractive and healthier foods to their diet.
If you’d like to learn more about braces and other orthodontic treatments from Kidshine Pediatric Dental Group, give us a call!