Everyone loves popcorn but it can be tricky to eat when you have braces. All those little kernels can get stuck in the wires and actually damage your braces. Dentists and orthodontists often recommend avoiding popcorn but it can be hard to do. It is an irresistible snack.
While it is best to not eat popcorn during orthodontic treatment, eating it occasionally shouldn’t be too damaging in the long run. We will tell you all about why orthodontists advise against eating popcorn and how you can safely eat popcorn with braces on.
Why Orthodontists Want You to Avoid Eating Popcorn with Braces On
So you just got braces. There is a good chance your orthodontist told you to avoid eating popcorn during your treatment. Now how are you going to eat your favorite snack?
When you eat popcorn, it breaks into very small pieces that can easily get caught in the wires of your braces. These small pieces can be tricky to remove and can lead to cavities, bad oral health, or even broken brackets. However, movie theater popcorn can be hard to resist.
Eating popcorn once in a while should not cause significant damage to your braces. Just be sure to brush, floss, and see your dentist if you ever feel there is a piece of popcorn stuck in your teeth that you can not remove. You can also try to only eat types of popcorn that are considered safer for braces. You don’t have to completely avoid your favorite food.
Can You Eat Hulless Popcorn With Braces On?
Hulless popcorn may be safer to eat when you have braces. It is a type of popcorn that is made from smaller kernels and have smaller hulls. The popcorn hull is the crunchy part of the popcorn that tends to flake off and get stuck in your teeth. So, the smaller the hull, the less likely you will be to have it stuck in your braces.
Keep in mind that even popcorn labeled as “hulless” still has a small hull. It should still be enjoyed in moderation when you have braces on. However, it is one of the best types of popcorn to eat when you have braces. Hullless popcorn will help you enjoy your favorite crunchy foods even when you have braces.
Best Practices For Eating Popcorn With Braces On
If you just can’t resist your favorite popcorn snack, here are a few dentistry tips and tricks to help you. Follow these so you can keep eating popcorn safely.
Floss Immediately
While you should already be flossing at least once a day, you should also floss immediately after eating popcorn. This will help quickly remove any small pieces of popcorn from between your teeth and braces. Getting the popcorn hulls out from your teeth as soon as possible will help you maintain good oral health.
Avoid the Unpopped Popcorn Kernels
Sometimes when you are eating popcorn, you will find a bunch of unpopped or partially popped kernels at the bottom of the bag. These should be avoided especially when you have braces. The hard kernels can be damaging to braces and may break the brackets. While most people already stay away from those unpopped pieces of popcorn, you really should when you have braces.
Brush Your Teeth
After eating popcorn, brush your teeth. This goes for people with braces and those without. It is the best way to help prevent tooth decay and also to get all those small pieces of popcorn out of your teeth.
Carry a small toothbrush in your purse or car so you are ready to brush wherever you go. You can even buy disposable toothbrushes that come with whitening toothpaste. Seems like a very easy solution to help you eat popcorn with braces.
Don’t Eat Popcorn Regularly
Enjoying popcorn in moderation is probably your best bet when you have braces on. Your orthodontist will likely agree. While movie theater popcorn can be irresistible, practicing moderation will be best for your oral health. Remember that your braces will come off eventually and you can go back to your favorite snack soon.
Other Types of Foods You Should Avoid When You Have Braces On
Eating with braces can be challenging. There are actually quite a few foods you should avoid to prevent damaging your teeth. Here are a few that dentists recommend staying away from:
- Hard candies
- Potato chips
- Pretzels
- Hard veggies
- Chewing gum
- Taffy
- Corn of the cob
In general, overly chewy, gummy, sticky or hard foods should be avoided. You should also avoid chewing foods with your front teeth or biting into things using the surface of your teeth.
Here is a quick look at foods you can enjoy with your braces on:
- Soft fruits
- Soups
- Bagels
- Ice cream
- Smoothies
- Mashed potatoes
Soft, tender foods are always best when it comes to oral health.
Learn More About One of the Most Popular Snackfoods with Popsmith
If you love popcorn. Love snacking and also love learning, then you have come to the right place. Popsmith has tons of information about popcorn. We are constantly writing and researching more so you can continue learning with us. Now, go enjoy a big bowl of popcorn. See you soon.
