It is time for kids to head back to school! As you decide what to pack in your child’s lunch, remember that keeping their smile healthy and on the right track is important. If they’re wearing braces this year, you’ll need to be even more careful about what they eat each day. Unsure what you should include? Find out which foods are the best so that they don’t accidentally break a metal bracket or wire.
Which Foods Are Considered Braces-Friendly?
Whether you’ve already visited the grocery store or are building your list in preparation for the start of the school year, make sure to include these as part of your child’s lunch:
- Soft fruits, including bananas, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, grapes
- Steamed vegetables, including carrots, peas, green beans
- Cheese
- Yogurt
- Sandwiches, such as PB&J, meat and cheese, tuna, or egg salad
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Hummus and soft pita bread
- Jello
- Apple slices cut thin
- Soup
- Macaroni and cheese
- Applesauce
- Smoothies
- Sugar-Free Chewing Gum
- Pudding
Some foods should be enjoyed in moderation, as they can contain lots of sugar, which can increase your child’s chances of developing cavities. However, most contain healthy nutrients that can protect teeth and gums, especially when paired with water.
Making sure they stay hydrated by sending them with their own water bottle helps ensure that any harmful acids are quickly neutralized by their saliva.
Which Foods Should You Avoid When Packing Their Lunch?
Although they may plead for some of the following foods, they should be avoided while your child wears braces:
- Pretzels
- Hard breads (croutons, rolls, Italian bread)
- Raw vegetables
- Hard fruit, like underripe pears or any frozen fruit
- Popcorn
- Granola bars
- Chewy/sticky candy
- Bubble Gum
- Chewy/tough meat
- Potato chips
It might seem difficult packing a lunch that doesn’t contain your child’s favorite chips, fruit, or popcorn, but there are healthy alternatives that you can substitute. Failing to do so can cause brackets to pop off, wires to bend, and derail their orthodontic progress.
If you want to keep them on the right track toward a straighter, healthier set of teeth, make sure what they eat at school protects their smile and braces.
About the Author
Dr. Ben Youel is a Grayslake orthodontist who earned his dental degree from the University of Illinois Chicago before completing a three-year orthodontic residency there. Certified in Invisalign and complex/surgical orthodontics, he cares for patients of all ages seeking help to straighten their smiles. If your child is wearing braces and you’re unsure which foods are best to pack for their school lunches, or you have other orthodontic questions, please contact us at (847) 548–4330 to schedule a consultation.
