Traditional braces can positively impact your child immensely, from boosting their self-esteem and enhancing their bite to improving their speaking patterns. There is one small drawback, however: orthodontic treatment requires some adjustments to their diet. After all, the last thing you want to happen is your little one bite into an apple at school and accidentally break a bracket or wire! Don’t worry – there are plenty of nutritious and delicious ideas that are also braces-friendly.
6 School Lunch Ideas for Children with Braces
At first, it may seem like there are no foods left after reading through the list of dietary restrictions provided by your orthodontist. Luckily, that’s far from the case. In fact, there are several braces-friendly options your child may enjoy, including:
- Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
- Sliced bananas with nut butter
- Egg salad
- Soft boiled eggs
- Sliced lunch meat, like turkey
- Soup
You can also fill their lunch with snacks to keep them full throughout the day, including applesauce, yogurt, pudding, and avocados.
6 Foods That Should Be Avoided Altogether
You may be wondering, “But what if my child eats the hot lunches at school?” The good news is that there are several options available, such as mac and cheese, cooked vegetables, and soft French fries. Since the meals aren’t always the same, however, it’s a good idea to teach them to simply avoid hard, crunchy, or sticky foods, like:
- Apples
- Corn on the cob
- Popcorn
- Bagels
- Hard candy
- Nuts
A Few Additional Must-Have Items for Their School Lunch
Of course, your child’s school lunch will be primarily filled with their meal and snacks for the day. However, it’s also a good idea to pack a few additional essentials. To start, provide them with a water bottle or two, which will help keep them hydrated and their braces free of food particles throughout the day. Second, include some dental wax. This small tool will allow your child to cover up any sharp edges that would’ve made chewing a cumbersome task.
Since your child will likely be wearing braces for the foreseeable future, it’s a good idea to find a few braces-friendly staples to incorporate into their school lunches. That way, their orthodontic treatment goes as smoothly as possible!
About the Practice
For our team at Simply Orthodontics, orthodontic treatment is something we encounter every day. However, we recognize that many families can feel overwhelmed by the adjustment at times, which is why we go the extra mile to share all of our tips and tricks. If you have a question about what your child can and can’t eat with braces or you want to schedule an appointment with our team, don’t hesitate to visit our website or call (508) 435-1200.