It’s time to send your child back to school, and that means making sure they have a delicious, nutritious lunch to take with them. But if your little one has recently started wearing braces, you might find yourself worrying about what is or isn’t okay to pack in their lunchbox. Luckily, your children’s orthodontist in Canfield has a few suggestions regarding foods that are safe to eat with braces – as well as foods that require precaution.
Foods to Include in Your Child’s Lunch
Ideally, you should focus on soft yet nutritious foods that your child can enjoy while keeping their braces safe. Luckily, classic lunchbox staples such as peanut butter & jelly sandwiches or thinly sliced lunch meat easily meet these criteria. Other options include tuna, boneless chicken, egg salad, applesauce, yogurt, avocados, sliced bananas, and soft-boiled eggs. For dessert, a cup of pudding or Jello will do nicely.
Note that you should make sure that your child knows what kind of foods are safe to eat while they’re wearing braces in case they get a lunch provided by the school. Common school lunch items that are okay to eat with braces include macaroni and cheese, soft pizza, mashed potatoes, rice, chili, casseroles, fish sticks, and sloppy joes.
Foods to Be Careful Of
Of course, when planning your child’s lunch, you need to have a clear idea of what foods are completely off limits. Generally, anything that is hard, crunchy, or chewy should be avoided. However, certain foods in this category can still be enjoyed by children with braces if you take the proper steps. Here are some examples of foods to be careful with when planning your child’s lunch.
- Apples: Biting into a whole apple can bend or break the wires and loosen the brackets of your child’s braces. Make sure the apple is cut into thin slices instead.
- Carrots: Carrots can be harmful to braces if eaten whole or raw, but they should be safe if they’ve been cut or cooked first.
- Corn: If you decide to pack corn in your child’s lunch, make sure that it is off the cob.
- Meat: As noted above, thinly sliced lunch meat is perfectly okay to eat with braces. Tougher meats or anything that’s still on the bone should be avoided.
- Pretzels: Soft pretzels should still be okay to eat, but it’s generally best to avoid hard pretzels whenever possible during orthodontic treatment.
If you have any doubts whether certain foods are okay to eat with braces in Canfield, talk to your little one’s orthodontist; they can provide further suggestions as well as context for why certain foods are potentially problematic. By taking great care in planning your child’s lunches, you can make sure their orthodontic treatment continues to go smoothly and doesn’t last longer than it has to.
About the Author
Dr. Marissa Mikolich has helped patients of all ages enjoy straighter, more confident smiles, knowing from personal experience how much of an impact orthodontic care can have. Her Canfield practice, Mikolich Orthodontics, provides comprehensive care for children, teens, and adults alike. To schedule an appointment or ask a question about your child’s diet while wearing braces, visit her website or call (330) 967-4110.