One of the downsides to braces is that you will likely have to make dietary changes throughout the duration of your treatment. One sticky food item many people are curious as to whether they can eat is popcorn. In this post, our Surrey orthodontists discuss the effects popcorn can have when you have braces, and why you should do your best to avoid it.
Eating Popcorn With Braces
When you crave a light favorite snack, popcorn is an easy and yummy choice that may be the first thing to pop into your mind. Typically, grabbing handfuls of buttery popcorn is a deliciously simple option, but this is certainly not true when you have braces.
When undergoing orthodontic treatment with braces, popcorn is certainly on the list of foods you should avoid. That’s because popcorn can harm your teeth, scrape your gums, and even damage your braces.
Why You Should Avoid Eating Popcorn With Braces
The biggest problem with eating popcorn when you have braces is because of the hulls of the corn. Popped corn hulls are the leftover parts of corn seeds (food particles), which get hard and stay in popcorn kernels after the popcorn has popped. These hulls can easily make their way in between your coloured braces and your teeth. Even if you don't have braces, they can be very difficult to remove.
Since they can have sharp edges, popcorn hulls can press up against your gums when trapped under the wires of your braces. They can also be nearly transparent, making it hard for you to see them when trying to get them out.
What About Hull-Less Popcorn & Braces
You may have heard of people who have had braces talk about popcorn that is fine to eat. This may make you wonder 'What popcorn can I eat with braces?', but the truth is that you should probably just avoid popcorn altogether.
Hull-less popcorn is made from smaller popcorn kernels. This means that it has fewer hulls inside, but no popcorn can truly be 100 percent free from the hulls. Some people with braces say that eating hull-less popcorn is a safe alternative that won’t get stuck in between your braces, but many healthcare professionals would disagree.
Other Foods You Should Avoid If You Have Braces
Throughout the treatment process, popcorn isn't only crunchy food and favorite food that can be problematic. You should do your best to avoid any foods that are too hard or sticky and try to eat as much soft food as possible. Some common foods to stay away from include:
- Celery
- Carrot sticks
- Potato chips
- Hard pretzels
- Gum
- Nuts
- Hard or chewy candy
- Bagels
- Pizza crusts
- Ice cubes
If for whatever reason you find yourself in a position in which you have to eat something you probably shouldn't, make smart food choices by cutting the food into small pieces will give you the best chance at avoiding complications.
Alternative Snacks That You Can Enjoy If Having Braces
If popcorn and many other tasty treats are off the table, you may be looking for snack options that are safe to eat with braces. Some easy snacks that you will have no trouble with include:
- Soft-baked cookies
- Muffins
- Soft Crackers
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Soft pretzels
- Soft chocolate
- Cheese slices
- Yogurt
- Strawberries
- Bananas
- Pears
- Croissants
If you are looking for other safe foods to eat with your braces, or if you are unsure whether a food is safe to eat with your braces, your orthodontist will have no problem clearing up any inquiries you may have. If you aren't sure if something is safe to eat, it is best to err on the side of caution and just avoid it. Start your orthodontic journey to a beautiful smile, improved oral health and healthy teeth.