What Chips Can You Eat with Braces? All Junk Food You Can Eat
Braces are excellent at fixing many dental problems, from crooked teeth to a misaligned jaw. But to reap these benefits, you need to make some sacrifices, specifically in regard to food. So, if you are someone who likes to munch on chips pretty regularly and you are thinking about getting braces, you probably think if you can eat chips with braces. So, what chips can you eat with braces?
Pringles, Cheese Puffs, and Utz Cheese balls are ideal chips to enjoy when you have braces. They are soft enough that you do not need to put too much pressure when biting them. Similarly, you can eat things like chocolate bars, marshmallows, chicken nuggets, and potato wedges even with braces.
Given how expensive it is to put braces on, you need to be extra careful not to break or damage them. You especially need to be wary about the food you casually eat as a snack.
So, in this article, we are going to look at different types of chips as well as other junk foods and discuss which ones are safe for your braces and which ones are not.
List of Chips You Can Eat with Braces
Having braces on does not mean you have to totally change your eating habit. But you do have to be extra mindful of certain aspects. In the case of eating chips, you need to consider how crunchy or sticky they are.
When you put on braces, your teeth remain extra sensitive. And biting into very hard food can cause the brackets to come off from your teeth. On the other hand, chips that are extra flaky or sticky will tend to get in between the wirings, which can be hard to remove or clean.
Instead, you should select chips that have a soft and mellow texture. They will melt in your mouth pretty quickly. Chips that are baked or the ones that break into large pieces are great choices. Remember, the softer the texture, the better it is for your braces.
Fortunately, there are several chips available that you can eat with braces. And here we are going to suggest some of them:
Cheetos Puffs
First up, we have a classic snack option in the form of Cheetos Cheese Puffs. Although normal corn is unsafe for braces, cheese puffs are much softer and fluffier. This is because the cheese puffs are made from corn dough, instead of actual corn pieces. Then a combination of heat and pressure makes the dough puff up and become soft.
While Cheetos Cheese Puffs have a crunchy texture, you can easily circumvent that by putting the chips directly onto your tongue. Cheetos have crunchier options than the Cheetos Puffs. So, if you are really fond of that classic combination of cornmeal and cheese seasoning, then try Cheetos Puffs.
Pringles
Pringles is an American brand of potato-baked chips that has been in production since 1968. And since then, it has consistently been one of the most popular choices for chips lovers worldwide. They have a wide range of flavors to entice people of different tastes.
The good thing about pringles is that though they are crunchy, they break into large pieces. So, there is less risk of tiny chunks of chips getting in between the metal wirings. Also, pringles are not super hard on your teeth. Just remember to bite with your back teeth rather than your front when you have braces on.
Utz Cheese Balls
Here I have another recommendation for a cheese puff snack, this time from Utz Quality Foods. This American snack company knows how to make mouth-watering treats that you want to munch on indefinitely.
The great thing about Utz Cheese Balls for people with braces is that the chips instantly melt in your mouth. The pieces are very soft and pack a great deal of cheese flavor. This product is also gluten-free and devoid of any artificial preservatives.
Sensible Portions Garden Veggie Straws
If you are tired of the same potato-based chips again and again, then try Sensible Portions Veggie Straws. These chips are not your typical sliced potatoes fried or baked until crispy. Rather these are made out of potato starch mixed with various vegetable-based flavors. So, you get a different taste from these chips.
These chips are not as crunchy or hard as other potato-based chips. Although they do offer some crunch, they are manageable for a person wearing braces. Plus, they come in a wide variety of flavors to choose from.
What Happens if You Eat Chips with Braces?
Although braces are made out of metal, it is generally advised to avoid eating hard food while wearing them. This is because biting into hard or crunchy food puts pressure on your teeth. This, in turn, puts pressure on the braces and can lead to the wires, rubber bands, or brackets popping out.
While not as hard as nuts or hard candy, chips can still offer a sturdy bite. So, when you bite into it with force, your already sensitive teeth may experience pain. If the chip is extra crispy or hard, they may even force the brackets to come out of the teeth.
Moreover, tiny pieces of the chips can get stuck in hard to reach places around the braces. This debris can be hard to remove or clean.
This is why orthodontists advise people with braces to avoid extra hard and crunchy food. Chips that are softer and easily melt in your mouth are much more suitable for your braces.
What Junk Food Can You Eat with Braces?
Basically, any food that is high in calories, sodium, and fat to an unhealthy degree can be considered junk food. [1] From chicken fries and burgers to soda and candy, most of us like to indulge in snacks that may do more harm to our bodies than good. But when you have braces, this list becomes small.
But luckily there are some junk foods that are kinder to your braces. So, you do not have to give up all your favorite snacks for the duration the braces stay on. Instead, you just have to pick your food carefully. With that said, here are some junk food you can eat, provided you are cautious when eating them:
- Chicken Nuggets (not too crispy or chewy)
- French fries
- Pizza (with no crust)
- Chocolate bars (no hard shells or candy)
- Soft tacos, burritos, shawarmas – just be careful of any pieces of bones or hard vegetables.
- Ice Cream – remember to brush afterward.
- Soda – Safe to consume. But you should limit it as it does contain loads of sugar.
- Soft cookies
- Potato wedges
As always, you should consult with your doctor to make sure which food you can or cannot eat. Also, it is best to eat small pieces at a time. If you try to chew too much at once, you may end up breaking the braces.
What Crunchy Foods Can You Eat Braces?
For the most part, you should avoid crunchy food while wearing braces. You should stick to food that is gentle on your teeth, especially at the beginning. But there are a few options that can meet your crunchy cravings.
- Pringles
- Cheetos Cheese Puffs
- Chocolate wafers
- S’mores
Just remember to eat one piece at a time. And make sure to use your back teeth for biting and chewing as often as you can. Your back teeth are sturdier and will be safer to bite with compared to your front teeth.
To make it easier for you t decide what to eat and what not to eat, here is the cheatsheet:
| Snacks | Can you eat it? |
|---|---|
| Funyuns | No |
| Cheetos | Only Cheetos Puffs |
| Doritos | No |
| Lays | Yes |
| Pringles | Yes |
| Chocolate | Only the ones without nuts and a hard shell. |
| Takis | No |
What Junk Food to Avoid when Having Braces?
Any junk food that has a hard exterior or crust, or requires you to bite hard should be avoided with braces. Similarly, very chewy food can put excess pressure on the braces, leading to damage. Sticky and chewy food easily gets stuck between your teeth and the equipment. And it is much harder to clean your teeth with braces on.
Here are some examples of the sort of junk food you should stay away from:
- Pizza crust
- Deep-fried tacos
- Chicken fries
- Pretzels
- Popcorn
- Any candy with nuts or a hard shell
- Corn chips
- Hard cookies and crackers
- Caramel
- Hard chocolate bars
Can You Eat Funyuns with Braces?
It is best to avoid Funyuns if you have braces. While Funyuns are not super hard, they do require some bite strength when eating. If it’s the first time you hear about them, Funyuns are a brand of ring-shaped onion-flavored chips manufactured by Frito-Lay, the same company that makes Cheetos.
Can You Eat Doritos with Braces?
Any fried tortillas should be avoided when you have braces. So, Doritos, which is a brand of tortilla chips, is not allowed food.
Can You Eat Cheetos with Braces?
If you are a fan of Cheetos, you should stick to their Cheese Puffs line when wearing braces. The Cheetos Crunchy line of products may cause problems for your braces.
Can You Eat Chocolate with Braces?
Chocolate is one of the best candies to have when wearing braces. Just make sure that the chocolate is not too hard or contains elements such as nuts and caramel.
Can You Eat Lays with Braces?
Lays are a good choice for chips when you have braces. They are crunchy but not excessively so. Just make sure to eat one chip at a time.
Can You Eat Takis with Braces?
Takis is a Mexican brand of corn tortilla chips that are rolled like cinnamon. Due to their hard nature, it is best to not eat them with braces.
Can You Eat Pringles with Braces?
Pringles are another great choice to snack on for people wearing braces. They are mildly crunchy, thin, and break into large pieces.
Can You Eat Popcorn with Braces?
Popcorn easily gets stuck to hard to reach places around your braces. Plus, you may accidentally bite into an unpopped kernel while eating, which can be very damaging to your braces. So, you should enjoy your movie nights without popcorn.
To conclude, wearing braces can be a restrictive experience, especially when it comes to eating. But if you pick your food and snack properly, you can carry on with your life pretty normally.
Conclusion
So, can you eat chips with braces? Chips that are softer and easily melt in your mouth are a great choice and suitable for your braces.
