There’s something about Memorial Day that makes us crave hearty foods
and tasty drinks as we honor the brave men and women who served our country
through their loyal sacrifice. We memorialize these heroes by partaking
in BBQs and cookouts that are dedicated to their service. Although avoiding
certain foods may seem in poor taste, those with braces should steer clear
of certain foods to keep their hardware healthy.

Sticky Sauces

Bar-B-Que and other sweet n savory sauces usually contain loads of sugar.
Similar to soda products, this “liquid gold” easily invades
hard-to-reach pockets in someone’s braces. When the sugar sauce
settles on brackets, it all but ensures a trip to the orthodontist for
a tune up.

Corn on the Cob

A scrumptious but forbidden treat for those with braces! Corn on the cob
is hard to eat without mouth hardware (could you pass the toothpicks please?)
but eating it with braces is almost crazy! No matter how careful you are,
corn on the cob demands that you scrape your brackets against the kernels.
It’s not only messy, but could end in an emergency visit to
our office! If you cannot resist some buttered corn, use a knife to cut off kernels
and eat them like peas.

Ribs & Other Tough Meats

With braces, biting down hard on any glob of food can detach a bracket
or bend a wire. That’s why it’s important to stay away from
ribs and other meats that can be rough on your appliances. If you want
some smoked ribs or brisket, cut up the meat into bite-sized pieces first.
Remember: the less work your mouth has to do, the better it is for the
health of your smile!

Sticky Desserts

We recommend avoiding all kinds of delicious treats to keep your appliances
in check. From chocolate covered pretzels to ice cold popsicles, these
treats contain a lot of sugar that can lead to cavities (since it is hard
to brush your teeth with braces) or to you breaking a wire.

To avoid an impromptu visit to our office, stick with soft foods and low-sugar
drinks this coming Memorial Day.

There are plenty of options for you to choose from including:

• Mashed potatoes
• Mac n cheese
• Salad
• Bread
• Fruit
• Chicken (cut)
• Hot dogs