There are a few restrictions on foods that you have to follow for braces. If you love to eat popcorn, you may ask, “Can You Eat Popcorn With Braces?”
You should avoid popcorn with braces on your teeth because a hard kernel can damage braces or get stuck between braces and teeth that are hard to remove and may cause pain or tooth decay. However, you can eat hulless popcorn with braces as it contains a smaller kernel that’s relatively safer for braces.
Moreover, you may go for some other alternative for popcorn. So, don’t be upset.
So, how to eat popcorn with braces? What are the alternatives? We have discussed it all here.
If you want, you can also know how you can eat chips or candy with braces.
Why can’t you eat popcorn with braces?
Here are the reasons for which you should avoid popcorn with braces:
1. Hardness of Kernels
Kernels are hard ingredients of popcorn. When we normally ear popcorn, those kernels irritate us.
Sometimes we feel discomfort while biting on them. This puts pressure on teeth.
With braces on teeth, brackets may fall out or get loose because of the stress.
2. Getting stuck
Kernels of popcorn sometimes get lodged between your teeth without braces.
Now, when we wear braces, there are so many materials that are attached to our teeth.
So, you can understand how easily they can get stuck in the brackets and wires.
3. Difficulty cleaning
If those kernels get stuck between the teeth, we can clean easily when we don’t wear braces.
But, when we wear braces, we have to face a lot of trouble to remove those kernels from brackets, wires, or between teeth and braces.
Sometimes, we may fail to clean that debris completely.
4. Pain, plaque build-up, foul smell, and tooth sensitivity
When we can’t remove the kernels from our teeth and braces, bacteria get a favorable environment to form plaque.
This may lead to a foul smell from the mouth and painful or sensitive teeth.
5. Tooth decay, staining, and gum disease
The remaining kernel or popcorn debris may weaken our enamel of teeth and causes tooth decay and gum disease over time. If this persists for a long time, tooth staining may also occur.
But, this is the worst-case scenario for popcorn, which rarely happens as an orthodontist may notice the problem early and take proper steps.
But, this may delay your orthodontic treatment.
Why do some braces wearer still want to eat popcorn with braces?
Here are some reasons why people still want to eat popcorn with braces, even though they shouldn’t:
People love to eat popcorn
Many people love to eat popcorn. So, when it’s your favorite food, you don’t want to listen to anyone.
But, there is no excuse for that. That’s why we have an alternative way for you.
Popcorns are healthy
Popcorn is a nutritious food. It’s rich in vitamins, minerals, and fibers. This also helps to lose weight.
So, many people include this in their weight loss diet, because it contains low calories, low energy, and high fibers.
However, if you want to maintain your weight loss diet chart with braces on your teeth, you have to find an alternative way for popcorn.
This whole grain also contains antioxidants. It also reduces the risk of many diseases.
However, certain pre-packed popcorn brands add other chemical ingredients that may be harmful to health.
People eat popcorn to enjoy the movie
Most people love to eat popcorn in the theater. They like to enjoy popcorn while watching the movie with friends and family.
Many like to eat it while chatting or spending time with friends.
How to eat popcorn with braces?
If you still want to eat popcorn, let’s know the ways to eat popcorn with braces:
1. Popcorn without kernel
Since kernels or the hulls of popcorn is the main problem for eating them with braces, cut them off from your favorite popcorn.
So, it’s a good way to eat hulless popcorn. This popcorn contains a smaller kernel that may not interfere with the braces and teeth.
2. Avoiding overcooking
Popcorn shouldn’t be overlooked if you wear braces. This makes the kernels harder. So, if you make it, don’t overcook it.
3. Alternative to popcorn
The best way is to choose an alternative to popcorn. Here are a few we can talk about-
Rice crisps with popcorn flavor
You may eat rice crips that don’t hurt your teeth and braces. Those are soft and braces-friendly.
Moreover, you can get popcorn flavored rice crips. So, you may get a similar enjoyment to popcorn.
Snacks
You may have some other substitutes such as crackers, potato chips, and walnuts.
It’s better to eat baked potato chips with braces rather than fried potato chips.
You can also bake the kale leaves and prepare chips. It’s very healthy.
One of my favorite snacks is soft corn puff snacks or chips. The snacks are also covered with cheddar cheese, which gives an extra taste. But, you have to clean your teeth and braces as they may stick to them.
Soft vegetables and fruits
If you are concern about the nutrition that you get from popcorn, you can eat different types of vegetables and fruits that are braces-friendly. You can also try other braces-friendly foods that you should eat after getting braces tightened or your kids should eat for school lunch.
4. Chewing slowly
Suppose a situation, you have to eat popcorn with braces on your teeth. What you should do?
First of all, you must stop yourself from having it. But, if you fail to do, don’t fail again and again.
During eating, chew slowly and carefully so that it can’t damage your braces or get stuck inside.
5. Flossing nicely
Learn the flossing teeth with braces on and do it after having popcorn and remove those kernels that lodges in braces.
What happens if you eat popcorn with braces, that you shouldn’t
If you accidentally eat popcorn with braces and then know you shouldn’t eat it, you may be scared. So, what should you do now?
At first, check if your braces are ok or not. Clean your tooth thoroughly.
Floss your teeth following the proper method during wearing braces and rinse your mouth.
Then, brush your teeth using the right method of tooth brushing with braces.
Your goal is to remove all residual parts of popcorns or kernels from your braces and teeth.
But, don’t overdo it or you make damage the braces.
If you see, you can’t remove that debris on your own, you should contact your orthodontist.
Conclusion
Popcorn is a harmful food for braces and orthodontic treatment because it contains kernel within it. You have to stay away from it. Even when you eat any substitute for popcorn, clean your teeth properly after eating.
One thing you have to keep in mind that after all of your sacrifice, you will get a beautiful smile and can eat all foods at the end of orthodontic treatment.
