Braces-Friendly Options for Your Child’s School Lunch

When your child receives braces, it can be an exciting time…they are on their way to a straighter smile! But it also is a time of adjustment. They will need to be more aware of their oral hygiene routine and attend regular dental appointments. In addition, their diet will have to have some changes. You will want to make sure your child has delicious, nutritious, and braces-friendly options, especially when they are at school! Read on to discover some great options and get advice from your orthodontist!

Braces-Friendly Options

The wires and brackets that compose your child’s braces can lead to cuts and sores in their mouth, which can make their eating experience unpleasant at times. Eating softer foods will provide more comfort as they enjoy their meals. In addition, they will not cause any damage to their metal braces.

It is important your child knows some great food options while they are at school. If they partake in the lunch provided at school, some items that would work well with braces include macaroni and cheese, soft pizza, mashed potatoes, rice, chili, casseroles, fish sticks, and sloppy joes.

If your young one prefers taking their lunch, it should include nutrient-dense, cavity-fighting foods that are soft in nature. Some lunchbox options could be:

• Soft bread sandwiches with thinly sliced lunch meat (throw in some avocado for extra nutrients and healthy fat)
• Tuna or chicken salad
• Plain yogurt
• Applesauce
• Soft, boiled eggs
• Sliced bananas with creamy peanut butter
• Pudding and jell-o

Foods to Avoid

As your child learns to make good choices that will keep their braces in excellent condition, they should also be mindful of the items they should avoid that could cause harm to the wires and brackets. They should always gravitate toward softer foods and stay away from anything that is hard, crunchy, or chewy. In general, they should avoid:

• Apples
• Raw carrots
• Granola bars
• Nuts
• Corn on the cob
• Hard candy
• Beef jerky
• Popcorn

Additional Tips About Caring for Braces at School

To keep their braces free of food particles (and simultaneously keep their oral health in superb condition), your young one should brush their teeth after each meal. If a thorough dental routine is not feasible in their school bathroom, they can use alternatives like mouthwash and floss. These can be easily carried in their backpack. Their orthodontist can also provide a few must-haves, like extra orthodontic elastics and wax to ease any discomfort.

Traditional braces will give your child a straight, beautiful smile but they will have to make some adjustments. With these helpful tips from your orthodontist, they can still enjoy delicious and braces-friendly options on their journey!

About the Author

Serenity Orthodontics serves families in six different locations through the expertise of their team of dentists. Their goal is to help your child achieve not only straighter pearly whites but a healthier, stronger, more confident smile! With custom treatment plans from advanced orthodontic experts, your child can receive any help that they need regarding their traditional braces. To schedule an appointment or learn more about their various services, contact them through their website or call (470) 589-4475.