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What Soft Foods to Eat With Braces at School? - Pavlo Orthodontics

Posted Feb 28th, 2022

Fortunately, there are many things your kid will still be able to eat at home and school while wearing braces. Anything that’s soft or easy to chew is valid, such as mashed potatoes or mac and cheese. You should always keep in mind that your child will have to be very attentive to everything they eat and avoid as much damage as possible to their braces.

Let’s take an in-depth look at the many options your child has for meals during their orthodontic treatment, some ideas for school lunch, and some foods and drinks or beverages they should stay away from until they get their braces off.

What to Eat With Braces?

Luckily, your child will still enjoy many of their favorite meals, even during their orthodontic treatment. 

Braces are, along with many other orthodontic appliances, the best way in which your teenager can realign their dental structures to achieve the best version possible of their smile. However, braces do mean some sacrifices about what each patient can eat.

Anything that’s soft, easy to chew, not too sugary, and not too sticky will be safe to eat, even with braces. Teenagers will still have to say no to some of their all-time favorites. Still, they will always be able to eat the following:

  • Oatmeal
  • Yogurt
  • Apple Sauce
  • Soft Bread
  • Peanut Butter
  • Refried Beans
  • Tofu
  • Rice
  • Pasta
  • Soft Cheese
  • Avocado
  • Hummus
  • Pudding
  • Soft Vegetables.

See? It’s not so bad now, is it? 

The reason why we insist on sticking to foods that are similar to the items on this list is that any other items can leverage away the brackets bonded to your child’s teeth, separating them and delaying their orthodontic treatment.

What Foods Should My Child Avoid Right After Getting Braces?

Consider that, as your teenager begins their treatment with braces, they will feel soreness and tenderness due to the movements that characterize their specialized teeth alignment treatment. 

It’s especially during those first few weeks that any patient wearing braces should avoid foods that are too hot or cold and other items that might encourage swelling. Help your child stay away from the following: 

  • Ice cream
  • Thick rolls or bread
  • Thicker cuts of meats
  • Spicy foods
  • Citrus foods.

Please notice these are not necessarily chewy or hard foods that can damage your child’s orthodontic appliance; however, they might still cause discomfort and prolong their adjustment period with braces.

We know these recommendations might seem too restrictive at first, but they’re well worth it as they help save time and money in the long run.

What Kind of Foods Can My Kid Eat With Braces at School?

We’re glad you asked. Here in Peabody, MA, schools are well aware that our children need proper nutrition and foods that allow them to pursue their preferred sports or specialized treatments without too much trouble.

Fortunately, this means that many school cafeterias in our neighborhood offer food options that fit your child’s braces lifestyle like a glove.

Encourage your child to ask for menu items that require as little biting into as possible. This is the safest way to minimize the risk of suffering an orthodontic emergency that makes them lose school time and keeps them from a scramble midway through their workday to go to the orthodontist’s office.

Some great school cafeteria choices include:

  • Creamy soups or broths with soft vegetables
  • Shredded beef or chicken meat
  • Egg or tuna salad
  • Pasta dishes such as lasagna and Mac and Cheese
  • Meatloaf
  • Soft casseroles
  • Steamed vegetables
  • Mashed potatoes
  • Soft bread or tortillas

What Not to Eat at School With Braces

Teach your child to kindly say no when they come across the following menu items:

  • Hard candy
  • Popcorn
  • Tough, complex, or fibrous vegetables (carrots, celery, corn on the cob, etc.)
  • Hard fruits (apples, pears, etc.)
  • Pizza (we know; this one sucks)

If you have the time to do so, you might want to check out some of the ideas we’ll list below as cool lunch options for your kid’s homemade school lunch.

Ideas For School Lunch for Kids With Braces

Let’s go ahead and review a couple of recipes that our internet-savvy friends have compiled for all parents hoping to find the best school lunch options for their kids.

  • Tuna salad
  • Chicken salad
  • Egg salad
  • Mashed Potatoes
  • Rice-based dishes
  • Pasta dishes
  • Cooked Vegetables
  • Chili
  • Soup
  • Casseroles
  • Fish sticks
  • Sloppy joes
  • Meatloaf

Tuna Salad

How could we not start with a pantry-essentials, tried and true, convenient recipe? Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Tuna
  • Mayonnaise
  • Sweet Pickle Relish
  • Garlic
  • Lemon
  • Salt
  • Pepper

The process is very simple, and it all comes together in a few minutes. Our first recommendation is you use it as a sandwich filling that will keep your kid full and energetic throughout their school day. You can look for brands with a dolphin-safe label. Likewise, you should feel free to use varieties stored in oil or water, depending on your child’s cholesterol intake restrictions. On that same note, feel free to switch up the mayonnaise for low-cholesterol options. We’d even go as far as saying you can change the mayo for good-quality yogurt, but it will require a little more experimenting to get a similar taste to our recommended recipe. The recipe calls for celery and red onion, but since these are mostly for the texture and could even harm your kid’s braces, we’ve left them out.

Get Help From Your Peabody Orthodontist

The team at Pavlo Orthodontics and the doctors will be thrilled to help your child get their dream smile with amazing and cutting-edge braces. Make sure you set an appointment with us to learn more about all the wonderful opportunities your child has to begin their orthodontic treatment with us!