When it comes to snacks, most people are sure to have something in mind. After all, staying well-nourished becomes vital in a sedentary lifestyle. Fortunately, there are plenty of healthy options out there for those looking to stock up on their favorite treats. From homemade varieties to store-bought versions, it’s no surprise that snack time is a common pitfall for so many people.
However, with so many pitfalls lurking in the depths of one’s mouth, it’s essential to know which foods we should avoid while wearing braces. In this article, we will explore whether or not one can eat popcorn in braces.
So, lets’ go!
Can You Eat Popcorn With Braces?
No.
Biting down on an unpopped popcorn shell can break a bracket or fracture a wire, while the force of a popcorn kernel’s bite is powerful enough to pop a popcorn kernel. However, simply making an error with one’s bite may require orthodontic treatment.
Considering we primarily consume popcorn in the evenings, one will have to wait until the following day to have it mended, and even then, only if they have room to allow one in as an emergency patient.
Additionally, owing to their tiny size, popped hulls have the potential to get trapped in the spaces between your teeth and the brackets or wires holding them in place. The fragments are difficult to see and more difficult to remove than you may think.
If a portion of the hull or the kernel gets lodged under the gums of the afflicted tooth, gum inflammation may result. Inflammation may manifest itself in several ways, including the appearance of redness, discomfort, and swelling in the gums.
Sticky popcorn, such as caramel corn, should be avoided since it is easier for the caramel to become stuck in braces. If it does, it is much more challenging to get it out.
Consider what happens when one bites into popcorn: the kernels break into multiple pieces and are frequently bit into unpopped grains. Even if one doesn’t have braces, they probably have experienced the annoyance of popcorn particles being caught in their teeth, necessitating the use of dental floss or a toothpick to remove them.
When we wore braces, popcorn splinters have even more areas to get lodged, yet, multiple hiding spots between your brackets and wires are sometimes tough to access, making the process of removing popcorn debris much more challenging. The hulls and kernels are the perfect sizes to snag hold of your braces in the harder-to-reach places.
It is undoubtedly hated when popcorn gets trapped in your braces, but there’s one creature that loves having it there: germs. Any food particles that get lodged in the spaces between our teeth or your braces provide the perfect environment for the growth of bacteria, which may lead to the formation of plaque and ultimately to their destruction.
It is essential for both a healthy mouth and an efficient treatment with braces that one remembers to brush and floss regularly, so that food particles don’t get stuck between them.
What Happens If One Eats Things They Shouldn’t Eat With Braces On?
There are two primary dangers that one puts themselves at while consuming food items that braces restrict.
First of all, there is a chance that the orthodontic devices could become harmed. For example, consuming meals that are too hard or too crunchy might cause the wires of your braces to get bent. Then, when you bite down on a piece of tough food that has been lodged between your braces, the brackets on your teeth may come off.
Consuming foods that are not for individuals who have braces on their teeth might also put you at an elevated risk of developing cavities in your teeth.
Foods that are chewy or sticky have a greater likelihood of being lodged in between the wires of your braces, where they may be challenging to dislodge. The accommodated food items between your teeth have the potential to cause enamel erosion. Tooth decay and cavities are both made more probable as a result of this factor.
What Happens if You Eat Popcorn With Braces?
The primary reason why people who have braces shouldn’t consume popcorn is that the pressure created by chewing the popcorn may break a bracket, cause a frame to pop off, or shatter a wire. Additionally, suppose a hull becomes lodged in the gums or teeth of a person who has braces. In that case, the process of removing the hull may be exceedingly challenging and unpleasant.
What Popcorn Can You Eat With Braces?
The kernel used to make popcorn without hulls is frequently substantially smaller than that used to make conventional popcorn. For example, when a kernel pops, the hulls separate into tiny pieces, and some people believe that eating hull-free popcorn is a safer option since the popcorn is less likely to get caught in between your braces.
There have been no clinical trials carried out to determine whether or not consuming hulless popcorn is less dangerous for those who have orthodontic appliances such as braces. However, before you eat popcorn, it is in your best interest to discuss the matter with your dentist or orthodontic specialist.
You are welcome to inquire about hulless kernels in comparison to regular kernels with them. As a result of the fact that hulless popcorn was not a staple in our home when I was a child who had braces, I do not have any personal experience with it. Hulless popcorn is the kind that’s most popular in our house these days.
Can You Eat Caramel Popcorn With Braces?
When you eat caramel popcorn, you face the risk of your braces being entangled not only in the popcorn’s hulls but also in the caramel’s crunchiness and stickiness.
Can You Eat Popcorn Shrimp With Braces?
We advise not to consume popcorn shrimp if you have braces on.
How To Get Stuck Popcorn Out Of Your Braces?
If you are going to consume popcorn, here are some tips that may help you remove it from your teeth if it becomes lodged there.
- Place some water that is room temperature in your mouth, keep it there for about thirty seconds, and then swirl it around your mouth. Spit out the water, and then proceed to do this process a further two times. We do this to unstick the item that is stuck naturally.
- First, give your toothbrush a quick rinsing in some warm water, and then brush your teeth in a downward motion, simulating the act of removing anything stuck between your teeth. To determine whether or not this method yields any results, you will need to do it several times.
- First, carefully slide a piece of floss up between your teeth, and then gently draw the floss down and against the tooth, pushing toward the side where the segment of floss is stuck.
- Please make use of dental flossers or a dental pick, but do it with extreme care to gently loosen the piece and then remove it.
- To remove the chunk of popcorn, flush it down with some water using a Waterpik.
- When you need to reach in between your teeth or between your gums, use a brush or flosser.
- After trying any of them, you should thoroughly clean your mouth by brushing your teeth and rinsing your mouth out with water to remove any lingering residue.
- If you have tried everything else and nothing has worked, you should call your orthodontist. If the hull is allowed to sit out for a significant amount of time, it may encourage the development of germs as well as an illness.
Tips For Eating Popcorn with Braces
If you do decide to consume popcorn, the following advice should help you avoid breaking a bracket or wire during the process.
- Be sure to remove any unpopped kernels by using a filter.
- Use seasoning on your popcorn to add taste rather than toppings like caramel, almonds, seeds, or hard candies.
- Chew cautiously and gently for maximum benefit.
What Snacks Can I Eat With Braces?
Popcorn chips are a brand-new product that has recently entered the snack market. Because they use burst yellow corn to make them, there are no rough kernels or hulls that could get stuck in your braces.
The fact that they are popped and not fried gives them a crunch that is more similar to that of popcorn than that of potato chips. Because of the so many different flavors to choose from, such as kettle and cheddar, there is bound to be one that appeals to every customer. There is likely to be one that appeals to every consumer because there are so many various flavors to pick from, such as kettle and cheddar.
Here are some other snacks you can eat with braces:
- soft baked cookies, muffins, and baked goods
- baked (not fried) potato chips
- soft crackers
- cheese slices
- baked kale or carrot chips
- veggie sticks
- yogurt
- Strawberry, pear, banana, or other soft fruit slices
- hard-boiled eggs
- soft pretzels
- soft chocolate
Final Words
During the time that you are wearing braces, you may not be able to enjoy some of your favorite meals, which can be a source of frustration. But the better you take care of your braces while they are on, the sooner you will remove them. After that, you will be able to enjoy your amazing new smile, and the longer, your health will continue to be in good standing.
You may not think it makes a difference now, but the little things you give up today will pay you in the future. If you want to keep a grin on your face, though, you should forego the popcorn and instead go for one of the options listed above.
So, if you wear braces, don’t eat crunchy foods like popcorn or popcorn kernels. We advise you not even to eat hulless popcorn. Instead, stick to soft foods and other soft fruits to have healthy teeth and avoid getting popcorn stuck in your teeth.
