7 Braces-Friendly School Lunch Ideas

Do your child’s braces make it difficult for them to chew? Are you uncertain what to pack in their lunch to prevent broken brackets? If you answered “yes” to either of these questions, then you are not alone. In fact, many parents are unsure what snacks are delicious, nutritious, and braces-friendly. To prevent your trips to the grocery store from becoming overwhelming, read on for tips from an orthodontist!

7 Foods to Avoid

Broken brackets and stray wires can be uncomfortable for your little one. Plus, they can lead to cuts and sores that make their eating experience unpleasant. Therefore, it is important to avoid hard, crunchy, or chewy foods that can break the components of their braces. A few examples include:

• Apples.
• Carrots.
• Nuts.
• Corn on the cob.
• Hard candy.
• Beef jerky.
• Popcorn.

7 Braces-Friendly Snack Ideas

If the food restrictions have removed some of your lunchbox staples, don’t fret! You can still fill your child’s meal with nutrient-dense, cavity-fighting foods that are also soft in texture. Here are seven ideas to help you get started:

• Avocados.
• Yogurt.
• Applesauce.
• Soft, boiled eggs.
• Quinoa.
• Sliced bananas with creamy peanut butter.
• Pudding.

Additional Tips for Caring for Braces at School

To keep their braces free of debris (and simultaneously keep their oral health in pristine condition), it is important that your child cleans their teeth after each meal. If a full oral hygiene routine isn’t feasible in their school bathroom, there are less obvious alternatives that can be equally as beneficial. With this in mind, talk to their dentist about including a few must-haves, like mouthwash, floss, extra orthodontic elastics, and wax.

Braces are instrumental in improving your child’s smile and overall health. To protect them from broken appliances and fill their lunch with nutrient-dense foods, use the above school lunch ideas. That way, they can get the orthodontic treatment they need without missing the foods on the “do not eat” list!

About the Author

Since Dr. Susan Podray-Donovan’s father was an orthodontist, her knowledge of the field started at a young age! However, her formal education began at Nova Southeastern University, where she graduated with her degree in Biology. From there, she obtained her dental doctorate at Temple University before receiving her Orthodontic Certification from the same institution. Today, she continues to emphasize the importance of education by maintaining an active membership with multiple notable organizations, including the American Association of Orthodontists. If you would like to speak with her about teeth-straightening options for your child at Serenity Orthodontics, don’t hesitate to visit her website.