Summer Snacks That Are Safe for Braces

Summer is the season when people love to go on vacation and enjoy the sweeter things in life! However, while people undergoing orthodontic treatment can safely enjoy most summer fun, anyone with braces will know that they should be a little more careful about what they eat. 

It is pretty common knowledge that people with braces should avoid foods that are hard or sticky, as they can get stuck in the brackets, leaving sugar on the teeth and causing tooth decay. Some of the worst foods to eat with braces include caramel, gum, and popcorn. 

If you want to continue enjoying these sweet treats and sticky goodies, Invisalign may be the ideal orthodontic treatment for you, as you can take the aligners out when eating. If you do have braces, however, this doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some of the best summer snacks still!  

Here are a few sweet (and savory) summertime treats we’ve put together for your eating pleasure.

Safe Summertime Snacks 

Many summertime favorites are safe to eat with braces. Take a look at just a few: 

• Fruits – Watermelon, bananas, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and ripe/soft fruit are fine to eat with braces. Plus, these fruits are perfect for cooling down on a sultry day or enjoying while on a picnic!
• Seafood – Most types of seafood are perfectly fine to eat if you have braces, including fish, crab meat, lobster meat, and more. If you’re someone who craves fresh seafood in the summer, go ahead and indulge!
• Ice Cream – As long as there are no pieces of hard, sticky candy in the cone or bowl, ice cream is a perfect summer treat for someone with braces. Just be sure to brush your teeth after, like you would with any sugary food.
• Smoothies & Milkshakes – Perfect after a workout or to cool down on a balmy day, smoothies and milkshakes make it easy to enjoy all the flavors you love without anything getting stuck in your braces!

Plenty of other foods can help you beat the heat and cool down without interfering with your braces. Just remember that some foods should be cut into smaller pieces. And, of course, don’t forget to follow daily tooth brushing and flossing guidelines to take care of your teeth while enjoying the summer!