If you’re new to braces – or even if you’re not – you may be wondering what you can snack on to satisfy your sweet teeth or fill your appetite. This can be especially challenging as you attend end-of-year parties where the menu isn’t made with the needs of those who wear braces in mind. However, you can succeed in snacking smart whether you’re at home or a social gathering if you keep the following suggestions in mind.

Foods to Avoid with Braces

By now you’ve probably have the bullet points of what not to eat well memorized: Nothing sticky, hard, chewy or crunchy – and no gum! Though that may seem to eliminate a lot of tantalizing treats, it helps to remember the reason why those food items are off-limits. A forbidden snack may taste great for a minute, but the pain and frustration that can come from a broken wire or loose bracket can last for hours or days – and mean an extra trip to your orthodontist. It’s better to snack smart and protect your braces!

Foods to Enjoy with Braces

Now for the fun part: all the delicious options you can snack on without fear of compromising your orthodontic treatment! Take note of these braces-friendly foods and look for them the next time you’re hungry or at a get-together filled with abundant options.

Savory Starters:

• Soft cheeses – Brie, Swiss cheese, Cheddar cheese, Gouda, Havarti, etc.
• Corn bread
• Tortillas
• Saltine or Ritz crackers
• Hummus
• Guacamole
• Salsa
• Olives (without pits)

Main Dishes:

• Pasta
• Soft-cooked vegetables (carrots, green beans, squash, etc.)
• Mashed potatoes
• Potato pancakes
• Cole slaw
• Meatloaf
• Macaroni and cheese
• Meatballs
• Pulled pork or chicken
• Rice
• Quinoa or couscous
• Soups

Sweet Treats:

• Frozen yogurt
• Fruit smoothies (well-blended)
• Custard
• Pudding
• Bread pudding
• Muffins
• Banana bread (without nuts)
• Baked apples
• Ice cream or Milkshakes (without nuts or chunks)
• Cheesecake
• Jell-O
• Cream pies

As you can see from these lists, there are a lot of tasty treats both savory and sweet for you to enjoy. So get ready for your next soiree or prepare to stock up your pantry and fridge with these foods that won’t hurt your teeth or damage your braces!