School has been in session for over a month now, and you may have been stressing over whether the cafeteria is providing your child with enough braces-friendly choices. A solution is to pack your child’s school lunches every day, though we understand that sometimes it’s difficult to remember what foods are safe for braces. Our team at Kavanaugh Orthodontics is here to help you send your child to school with fun and healthy snacks. We’ve also put together ideas for a braces kit you should send your child to school with to help them take care of their braces after lunchtime.
Braces Friendly School Lunches
The rule of thumb with braces is to avoid hard, sticky and sugary foods. You can check out a more comprehensive list of Foods to Avoid on our website. For your child’s lunch you’ll want to stick to soft foods with low sugar content.
- Soft grains and pastas like mac-and-cheese or spaghetti
- Applesauce, Grape halves, banana slices, orange slices, and other diced fruit
- Hummus with soft pita bread
- Pudding and yogurt
- Soft breads, a classic smooth peanut butter and jelly, pancakes, muffins without nuts
- Leafy greens, steamed veggies, diced carrots, mashed potatoes
- Seafood like tuna, crab cakes and salmon
- Soups and casseroles are always great go-to lunches
Foods like cheese, sugar-free applesauce and leafy greens, are not only braces-friendly, but can be beneficial for the overall health of your child’s teeth. You can also send your child to school with the occasional treat like ice cream without nuts, soft cake, milkshakes, or Jell-O cups.
“Brace Yourself” At School Kit
Regardless of what’s for lunch, the nooks and crannies in braces can get messy at school. We’ve put together a list of useful items your child should have at school every day to help them keep their braces clean and comfortable.
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Floss
- Braces wax for sores and scrapes
- Orthodontist-approved soothing cream
- Small cup for rinsing
- Miniature mirror to check for trapped food
- Lip balm
Always send your child with a large bottle of water. Hydration is important for oral health, as well as overall health.
Thank You For Checking Out Our Blog
If you are still uncertain of what foods you should and shouldn’t eat with braces, ask your orthodontist! Do not hesitate to contact Kavanaugh Orthodontics at either our Sedalia or Kansas City locations. Make sure to return to our blog every now and then for more on the latest news and fun facts in orthodontics.
