Great Braces-Friendly Lunch Ideas for Kids

You’ll need to make a few adjustments to the foods child eats while wearing braces. A few simple changes will make a big difference during their treatment. Besides meals at home, you’ll need to pack foods for school lunches that won’t cause any unnecessary complications while on their journey to a straight smile. Your orthodontist in Northampton has a few braces-friendly snack and lunch ideas your child will love.

Foods to Avoid in Lunches

Your child will need to navigate a few dietary restrictions while wearing braces. It’s best to avoid anything that might get caught in their braces, damage brackets or wires, or be difficult to remove, such as:

Crunchy Foods

Crunchy foods can cause brackets, wires, and bands to come loose, like:

• Raw vegetables
• Croutons or hard breads
• Fruit that is difficult to bite into, like a whole apple
• Hard candies
• Crackers or pretzels
• Meat on a bone

Foods with Small Pieces

Foods that can break or tear apart into small pieces can get lodged between the brackets or wires and their enamel, making them difficult to get out. It’s best to avoid:

• Chunky peanut butter
• Popcorn
• Nuts or seeds
• Breads with seeds or grains
• Granola bars

Sticky Foods

Sticky and chewy foods can seal around your child’s braces. They can be very difficult to remove, so it’s a good idea to skip them:

• Chewy candy
• Sticky snacks
• Fudge
• Taffy
• Chewy meats
• Gum

Great Foods for Lunches

Although there will be many restrictions, there are still plenty of tasty foods and snacks your child can enjoy, such as:

• Mashed potatoes
• Pudding
• Gelatin
• Yogurt
• Soft cheeses
• Soft meats
• Eggs
• Rice
• Soups
• Salads
• Soft fruits
• Steamed vegetables
• Soft breads
• Pasta
• Smoothies

As you plan your child’s lunches for the week, it can be challenging coming up with new ideas, especially when dealing with certain limitations. There isn’t any reason to worry. Here are some great meals for the week:

• Monday: Spaghetti and a salad.
• Tuesday: Tuna salad sandwich and low-fat cheese.
• Wednesday: Macaroni and cheese and steamed vegetables.
• Thursday: Tomato soup and fruit.
• Friday: Fruit salad and low-fat yogurt.

Encourage a Healthy Smile

When packing their lunch, try to keep it healthy because you don’t want any cavity-causing bacteria lingering in their mouth during the day. To help your child to clean their teeth after eating at school, pack travel-sized floss, disposable toothbrushes, extra orthodontic elastics, and dental waxes to make it easier. Don’t forget to pack the storage cases for any removable appliances.

You can ensure your child enjoys their lunch and satisfies their hunger without damaging their smile. If you have any questions about the foods your child can eat, don’t hesitate to contact their orthodontist.

About Dr. Aaron DeMaio

Dr. DeMaio earned his dental degree at the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine and continued his training in orthodontics at the Tufts-New England Medical Center. He uses the latest advancements to correct a variety of bite and alignment issues. If you or your child needs braces, contact our office today.