Cut The Corn-On-The-Cob
Grilled fresh sweet corn is a great summer BBQ treat. But you’ll want to skip eating it straight off the cob as well as biting in to any other tough foods like apples, carrot sticks, and other fresh fruits or vegetables. Biting into these can leave food particles stuck between your brackets and wires that can lead to plaque build up and tooth decay. It can also damage your wires and brackets by bending or breaking them. We know these foods are not only good, but good for you. So, instead, cut the corn off the cob and still enjoy that sweet goodness. Cut up apples and other hard vegetables into bite-sized pieces that you can but in your mouth and chew on the surface of your back teeth.
Skip The Sticky Foods
If summer BBQs mean bowls of candy, make sure you stay away from the ones that can get stuck in your teeth and braces. Sweet, sugary candy like gummy bears or caramels can not only get stuck and pull on your wires and braces, they also can mix with the bacteria in your mouth to create plaque which can lead to tooth decay. Also, if you have to chew gum, stick to the sugarless variety as it is less likely to stick to your braces and it’s healthier.
Bounce The Bones
You’ll find many summer BBQ menus boasting meats like BBQ ribs and BBQ chicken. While the meat itself should chew pretty easily, be careful not to bite into the bones accidentally. Biting or trying to chew any hard foods can be catastrophe for your metal or clear braces. Foods like hard candy and ice can damage your braces. And be careful when eating chips because they can break in jagged pieces and get stuck in your wires and even in your gums. Even popcorn can be damaging as the hulls of the popped corn can get stuck in your braces and biting on an unpopped kernel can also cause damage. Nuts are another hard food to stay away from.
Summer BBQ Treats Just For Our Braces-Wearing Friends
Don’t despair, summertime is a great time for many foods that are great to eat with metal braces, clear braces or Invisalign. Here are some of your Maryland orthodontist’s favorites:
- Jell-O
- Popsicles
- Watermelon
- Strawberries
- Deviled Eggs
- BBQ Meatballs
- Muffins
- Steamed Veggies
- Yogurt or Smoothies
