Winter holidays aren’t the only times to enjoy delicious treats. Summertime is just as notorious for fun and yummy foods as it is sunshine and long nights. But all of that can seem pretty difficult when you have braces to consider. Sticky, hard, or sugary foods can lead to loose or popped wires, plaque buildup, or broken brackets. That’s why your Rigby braces place, Randall Orthodontics, has put together a list of foods and tips to enjoy your summer outings. If you have any questions about a certain food, give us a call! Our experienced staff will be able to help you navigate through your meals.
Foods to Avoid
It’s always important to remember which foods to avoid when you have braces. Hard, gooey, sticky, crunchy, these are all things to avoid in order to protect your braces and your teeth. Foods with these characteristics can easily break wires or brackets or get stuck in braces making it easy for plaque and bacteria to build up. Unfortunately, a lot of foods that are popular for summer BBQs are big no-nos. Luckily Dr. Randall, the best orthodontist in Rigby, has plenty of tips to eating these foods. Plus there are many great alternatives at barbecues to enjoy.
- Corn on the Cob – Corn on the cob is a staple at any American summer barbecue. Grilled corn, crazy corn, the list goes on. But biting into chewy, crunchy corn on the cob easily damages wires and brackets and leaves food stuck against your teeth. Bummer, right? If you can, try waiting until your braces are off to treat yourself with corn on the cob. If you can’t resist this summer favorite, Dr. Randall has a pro tip for you. Cut the kernels off of the cob! This alleviates the problem of damaging your braces and makes it less likely that you’ll get it stuck in your teeth.
- Corn Chips and Pretzels – Hard and crunchy chips and pretzels can damage your wires and brackets, or pop a wire loose! There is nothing worse than trying to enjoy a summer party with a wire sticking into your lip or cheek. If you really want them, try chewing slowly and only eating one at a time.
- Tough, Chewy Meats – Meat that is hard to chew or stringy is quick to get stuck in your braces. Steak, pulled pork or chicken, or BBQ ribs are a chore to eat with braces. Instead enjoy the hot dogs, burgers, or deliciously soft cooked chicken.
- Raw Veggies – Celery and carrot sticks are commonly found in veggie trays at get-togethers. If you can’t resist these crunchy snacks, make sure to cut them up small and chew with your back teeth.
- Pass on the Popcorn – Summer nights frequently coincide with summer movies, sleepovers, or the drive-in. Popcorn kernels stick in your braces and teeth, and unpopped kernels can break your wires and brackets. Pass on it until you’re able to get your braces off. Instead, enjoy some softer foods like chocolate candies or potato chips. Soft baked cookies are also a great option.
- Sticky Sweet – Summer comes with a lot of great sugary snacks. Sweet tea, lemonade, caramels, salt-water taffy, cotton candy, gummy bears, smores, the list goes on. Try switching out candy for sweeter foods such as melon or grapes. If you really can’t curb the sweet craving, choose candies that aren’t sticky or chewy. Stick with choices that easily melt in your mouth and won’t get stuck or pull on your braces. Ice cream is always a great choice! Remember to clean your teeth as soon as possible afterwards. Keeping your teeth clean and free of food will lead to a healthier, brighter smile after your Rigby braces come off.
Summertime activities are meant to be enjoyed and remembered. You don’t want the thing you remember about them is that you were hungry, miserable, or had to take multiple trips to the orthodontist to have them fixed. Summer treats and BBQ feasts can be enjoyed by anyone, even those with braces in Rigby, if you pay attention to what you eat and how you eat it.
If you have any questions on food you’re uncertain on, reach out to our team at Randall Orthodontics. There is a reason we are the best orthodontist office in Rigby. We can give you tips, tricks, and braces-friendly recipes. That way your summer is spent remembering all of the fun you took part in, not all of the things you didn’t.
Braces-Friendly Barbecue Treats
Now that we’ve gone through all of the foods you should avoid at your summer barbecues in Rigby, braces-friendly foods are just as popular and easy to find. There are plenty of BBQ classics that will be easy for you to eat and to enjoy.
- Macaroni salad
- French fries
- Hot dogs and burgers (If these are hard to bite into, try a fork! They will taste just as good.)
- Deviled eggs
- Beans
- Chili
- Jello
- Pudding
- Ice cream
If you’re not hosting the BBQ and you’re worried about not having anything to eat that you’ll enjoy, there is nothing wrong with calling ahead to see what’s on the menu. Maybe offer to bring some foods that are braces-friendly to the party. With all of the families and children that live in and around Rigby, braces are going to be pretty common. There will most likely be more than one person who could use some approved food options at any gathering.
Here a couple of recipes to try for your Rigby braces-friendly barbecue.
Fruit-Infused Water
Fruit-infused water is a great alternative to the sugary, sticky drinks that most people serve at a barbecue. By doing flavored water instead you can keep the tasty sweetness but ditch the sugar that’s bad for your teeth. It’s also a great way to enjoy the taste of fruits you might have been avoiding because of the seeds, such as strawberries and kiwis.
Fill a pitcher full of water and add sliced fruit and herbs. Get creative! Mix orange slices with kiwi slices. Put fresh raspberries and mint leaves together. Strawberries and basil leaves go great together. There is no limit to what yummy concoctions you can come up with to treat your guests. Put the pitchers in the fridge overnight, or at least for a couple of hours before the party. This will give it time to get nice and cold, and for the flavors to blend together in the water.
Buffalo Chicken Macaroni and Cheese
Check out this super easy and delicious recipe for Buffalo Chicken Mac n Cheese. Not only is it tasty, but the cheese, chicken and pasta are all soft enough for you to enjoy with your braces.
Even if you have braces in Rigby this summer, there are still plenty of activities and foods you can partake in to make memories for a lifetime.
