If you’ve ever had braces before, you know there’s a learning curve when it comes to foods you can and cannot eat. One favorite food that may pose a problem is apples.
However, apples and other hard foods can be enjoyed with a little extra preparation. Discover some tips and tricks for eating apples with braces below.
Don’t bite when eating apples with braces
Many of the foods on your orthodontist’s “Do Not Eat” list are there because of their textures and hardness. Biting into some requires more force, which stresses your new hardware more than softer foods.
Chomping into an apple requires intense pressure from your incisors, the top four and bottom four teeth located at the front of your mouth. Biting into a hard fruit, such as an apple, requires some serious power. Assuming your braces are on your incisors, those front braces would take the brunt of this force.
Chewing is best when it comes to eating apples with braces
Chewing food requires the use of the back molars. Chewing, rather than biting, is better for braces because the pressure is exerted between the bottom and top molars, where there isn’t a bracket.
Slicing or cutting apples before eating them allows them to be chewed without biting, which removes incisors from the process. This creates more manageable pieces to eat, which can be placed near the back of your mouth for easy consumption.
Don’t forget to brush and floss when you’re done eating your apples. Smaller pieces can still get lodged inside your braces.
Pro tip: Packing apples for lunch or mid-day snack? After slicing, dip sliced apples into a mixture of three parts water and one part lemon juice to prevent browning over the course of the day.
Alternative options for eating apples with braces
After getting braces put on, or after having them adjusted, your teeth may be sore. Unfortunately, this is part of the process of straightening them into place.
If your teeth are hurting but you can’t live without your apple fix, try some unsweetened applesauce instead. It doesn’t require biting or chewing and is a safer option for your braces.
What other fruits and vegetables can I eat with braces?
Any fruit or vegetable that crunches when you bite into it or requires the use of your incisors is not recommended while wearing braces. Alternatively, blueberries, raspberries, and other soft fruits are good options to snack on.
Vegetables tend to be hard, but there are ways to make them more friendly. Vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower can be cut up into smaller, bite-sized pieces and eaten while wearing braces! Better yet, boiling the vegetables before consuming them will make them softer.
Always consult your orthodontic team
Consult with your orthodontist to establish a list of foods that shouldn’t be eaten with braces. After all, you want to keep your braces in the best shape possible so they can do their job!