Can You Eat Popsicles With Braces? There is no doubt in my mind that the answer is yes. Although chewing ice is not recommended when wearing braces, popsicles are a different animal, as they are softer, and in fact very soothing for people wearing braces. Because of its hard texture, it is not recommended that you bite into it. Wires can be bent or brackets can become loose due to it.
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Food “hardness” and Food “stickiness” should be considered when determining what is okay to eat while wearing braces.
To prevent bending or breaking the wires in your mouth, avoid chewing anything that has hard chunks. Damage can be caused to wires by popcorn kernels, nuts, seeds, hard candy, apples, crunchy vegetables etc.
Getting stuck between the wires and brackets of your teeth can be a problem with sticky items that do not “clear” the mouth quickly. The likes of gum, caramel, taffy. Avoid eating foods that stick between your teeth, even if you don’t have braces.
After eating, excellent oral hygiene is essential with braces. After eating, swish vigorously with lots of clean water if you’re at school/work during the day
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to brush your teeth thoroughly, but gently. Use a water pick to reach those hard-to-reach places, and use interdental brushes/picks to get between your teeth.
FOODS TO AVOID:
Instead of:
- Hard pretzels
- Hard taco shells
- Doritos, Cheetos, Fritos
- Popcorn
- Carrot sticks
- Apples, pears, or peaches
- Hard rolls, bagels, or crust
- Ribs, chicken wings, or drumsticks
- Corn on the cob
Try:
- Soft pretzels or thin pretzel sticks
- Soft tacos or burritos
- Cheese puffs, cheese balls, or potato chips
- Hull-less popcorn
- Carrot curls or thin sticks
- Cutting fruit into sections
- Cutting or breaking bread into small pieces
- Removing meat from the bone
- Corn off the cob
FOODS TO NEVER EAT
- Ice! Your braces will be completely destroyed by it.
- Hard candies and suckers! Chewing on them is just too tempting.
- Pencils and pens! They tend to destroy during final exam time because they are prime chewing targets.
- A variety of nuts, gum, caramel, taffy, and peanuts!
Summary
So, can you eat popsicles with braces? Yes, just eat them in the correct way.
Post eating make sure you follow the oral hygiene tips below.
If you are wearing metal braces, we recommend cleaning your braces within the next 60 minutes after eating and foods. Follow these simple tips to ensure good oral hygiene.
- Spend two minutes brushing your teeth. Take 30 seconds to brush your upper right, lower right, upper left, and lower left sections of your mouth. Make sure your teeth are brushed on both the outside and inside. For two full minutes of brushing, set a timer.
- Using a threader or Waterpik is recommended. The most challenging aspect of oral hygiene when wearing braces is flossing. Threading floss through the wire will be easier if it is attached to a threader. To remove further plaque, use a sawing motion. Water flossers are also recommended. Water is used to clean, and flossing is easy and quick.
- At night, you should use mouthwash. Consider fluoride mouthwashes that protect enamel and fight caries. Any food particles will be removed after one minute of rinsing. Inspect the mirror after rinsing to see if any spots were missed.
You should consult with your dentist first to find out what kind of guide to follow based on your treatment condition before consuming your favorite foods.
For more foods, read our comprehensive post of what you can eat with braces.
Can You Eat Popsicles With Braces?
