Adjusting to life with braces involves navigating new dietary considerations. The period following the placement of orthodontic hardware requires careful attention to what you eat to ensure treatment progresses smoothly. While it may seem many foods are off-limits, most can still be enjoyed with simple modifications. Understanding how to manage popular items, such as chicken strips, is part of successfully adapting your diet.
Understanding Food Restrictions with Braces
Orthodontic appliances are durable but cannot withstand excessive mechanical force. Certain foods are restricted because they pose a physical risk of damaging the brackets, wires, or elastics. Hard and crunchy items, such as nuts or hard candies, generate high pressure that can break the adhesive bond holding a bracket or bend the archwire.
Sticky and chewy foods, like caramel or taffy, can pull brackets away from the tooth surface. These substances also easily become lodged in the braces, making proper cleaning difficult and increasing plaque accumulation. Any food requiring biting directly with the front teeth, like whole apples or corn on the cob, creates leverage that can pop off front brackets.
How to Prepare and Consume Chicken Strips Safely
Chicken strips are permissible, provided specific preparation and consumption techniques are followed. The primary risk lies in the coating’s texture, which must not be overly hard or brittle, as the crunch can damage the brackets. Opting for softer-coated varieties, or those that are baked or air-fried rather than deep-fried, minimizes this hazard.
The critical step is using a knife and fork to cut the chicken into small, manageable, bite-sized pieces. This eliminates the necessity of tearing or biting into the food with the sensitive front teeth, which are most vulnerable to damage. Chew slowly and deliberately using only your back teeth, or molars. Molars are better suited to the grinding motion, keeping the force directed away from the front hardware.
Addressing Minor Braces Damage
Even with care, accidental damage can occur while eating. If a bracket feels loose or detaches completely, remain calm and assess the situation. If a wire or loose piece is poking or causing irritation, apply a small, pea-sized piece of orthodontic wax to cover the sharp surface.
The detached bracket should be removed from the mouth and saved for the orthodontist. Contact the orthodontic office promptly to report the damage and schedule a repair appointment. Timely repair ensures treatment continues efficiently and prevents the loose component from causing discomfort or slowing down tooth movement.