La Habra/Chino Hills, CA –  If you wear braces, or will be soon, chances are you’ve heard the list of foods you’re not supposed to eat. When you’re in orthodontic treatment and have traditional braces, there are some restrictions to remember. But don’t worry – there are still a lot of delicious foods you can indulge in.

What to avoid while in braces

Eating things that are too hard, crunchy, chewy, or sticky can wreak havoc on your brackets and wires. Here are some foods that you should stay away from if you are in orthodontic treatment:

Raw fruits and vegetables, such as carrots and apples. We still want you to eat these but biting directly into raw, crunchy fruits or vegetables can damage your brackets. Cut fruits such as apples and pears into small, bite-sized pieces, and consider cooking vegetables such as carrots before eating. We also know that corn on the cob is a popular side dish, but biting directly into it can cause problems for braces-wearers.

Crunchy breads. Hard, crusty bread, bagels, and even crackers can pose problems for braces. Turn to softer baked goods, such as muffins, or even the inside of bread.

Meat on the bone. Cookouts are always a great eating activity especially during summer and are loaded with delicious foods, like ribs, chicken wings, and chicken legs. These foods, however, should be avoided while on the bone. But if you cut them off the bone and into bite-sized pieces, you can still indulge.

Seeds and nuts. Baseball and other outdoor sporting events are perfect to enjoy sunflower seeds or peanuts, however, nuts and seeds can be a challenge for braces-wearers. They are small and crunchy and can put stress on the brackets and wires. It’s best to avoid these.

Crunchy, sticky candies. Saltwater taffy, toffee, and candy apples are popular as vacation treats, but these should all be avoided if you’re in braces.

Braces friendly foods and snacks

There are still plenty of treats you can enjoy while in braces, though!

Ice cream. As long as the ice cream doesn’t have nuts, you can enjoy it so make that banana split, shake, or sundae!

Smoothies. Smoothies are a great way to beat the heat and enjoy a treat. Grab some fresh fruit, greens, and your favourite liquid and mix up your favourite seasonal flavours.

Cookout side items. While you may not be able to eat ribs on the bone, you can indulge in all of the cookout side dishes, such as macaroni and cheese, deviled eggs, and baked beans.

Ice pops. Popsicles, fudgesicles, and ice pops are a great way to beat the heat and enjoy a braces-friendly treat.

Grilled vegetables. Raw vegetables may not be ideal, but grilled vegetables are a great way to enjoy foods in any season and get you nutrients in.

Dr. Gire’s braces friendly recipes

So we covered the list of braces friendly food and snacks and also gave you a a list of snacks you’re not supposed to eat when you wear braces. The avoid list included popcorn, chips, hard pizza crusts, etc. which may seem like it limits all your favourites but you can still enjoy delicious foods while in orthodontic treatment. Dr. Robert Gire, and his staff have some delicious recipes perfect for orthodontic patients to enjoy while in treatment.

1- Frozen banana “ice cream”

Everyone loves ice cream but it’s high in sugar and it’s the sugar that can lead to tooth decay. So what about ice cream made from…bananas?! There is no extra sugar, no dairy, and no fat. Simply freeze two bananas. Once frozen, roughly chop them and place in a food processor. Blend until smooth, scraping the sides as needed. Serve immediately or freeze for a later time. You can even add peanut butter for some extra flavor, or sprinkle in a few chocolate chips.

2- DIY Instant Oatmeal

You may not be able to have those crunchy and chewy bagels for breakfast, but you can enjoy delicious oatmeal. You can make individual ziplock bags of oatmeal loaded with your favorite flavorings and toppings and have them ready for a quick and easy meal before school or work. Place ½ cup of instant oats in a ziplock bag, add a touch of brown sugar, and/or your favorite fruit to add additional flavor, and zip it up. Store in the refrigerator or cupboard, then grab when ready to make. Pour in a bowl with ¾ C water or milk, and you’re ready to eat!

3- Peanut Butter Yogurt Fruit Dip

Peanut butter and fruit slices can be a great combination and make for a sweet treat that won’t damage your braces. For the dip, mix together ½ C yogurt of your choice, 1/2 C natural peanut butter, and ¼ C powdered sugar. Then slice your favorite fruits, we suggest bananas and strawberries, and enjoy.

4- Soft Pretzels

You may not be able to chomp down on hard pretzels and chips, but you can make your own braces-friendly soft pretzels. You’ll need:

• 1 ½ C warm water
• 1 T sugar
• 2 t salt
• 1 package dry active yeast
• 4 ½ C all-purpose flour
• 2 ounces unsalted butter
• Oil for pan
• 10 C water
• 2/3 C baking soda
• 1 large egg yolk, beaten with 1 T water
• Pretzel salt or cinnamon and sugar for topping

To make, combine the water, sugar and salt. Sprinkle in the yeast and allow it to sit for 5 minutes, or until it begins to foam. Slowly add in flour and butter and mix until combined. Knead until smooth. Remove the dough, and oil the bowl. Return the dough to the oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and allow it to rise until doubled in size, about 50 minutes. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Bring the 10 C water and baking soda to a boil. Roll out the dough and divide into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope, then shape into a pretzel. Place each pretzel, one at a time, into the boiling water for 30 seconds, then return to the baking sheet. Brush the egg yolk mixture on top, the sprinkle with salt or cinnamon and sugar. You can also create pretzel bites by simply forming ropes of dough, then cutting into bite size pieces before boiling. Bake for 12-14 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool and enjoy!

Get togethers with family and friends don’t have to take a backseat to your braces journey. You can still enjoy delicious foods, just pay attention to the items that you should avoid. And don’t worry – if an accident does happen, Gire Orthodontics is here to help. If a bracket or wire issue comes up while eating, call us at 562-690-1199 (La Habra) or 909-393-9911 (Chino Hills).