Can You Eat Chips with Braces? Safe & Unsafe Choices
Wearing braces can help straighten your teeth, but they also make it harder to eat some foods. Snacking on chips is common, but can you eat chips with braces? Softer chips are safer because they won't break brackets as easily.
You can eat some chips and junk food in this article, but you should stay away from others. Learning how to snack safely is also covered. You'll also find tips and healthier options for keeping your braces safe while you snack.
Can You Eat Chips with Braces?
Chips are an easy snack to eat while wearing braces. Eating hard or crunchy snacks can damage or break orthodontic brackets and wires, which can cause pain and require more visits to the orthodontist overall.
Sometimes, softer chips will be safer than harder ones. Deciding on the right snacks and being careful while eating can help prevent injuries while still enjoying tasty chips.
Why Crunchy Snacks Can Be Risky
Crunchy chips can be very bad for people with braces. Since they are too hard, they are more likely to damage brackets and wires.
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Chips can break brackets: Heavy biting is needed to break brackets when eating hard foods like kettle chips and tortilla chips.
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Crunchy snacks get stuck: A lot of the time, food from regular chips gets stuck in braces, which makes hygiene difficult.
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Risk of tooth decay: Cravings for starchy foods, like potato chips, stick to teeth and make plaque build up faster.
What Happens If You Eat the Wrong Chips?
As the name suggests, some chips are too hard and can hurt you or damage your braces.
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Kettle chips and ruffled chips: Wearing braces is not a good idea because these are thick and extra crispy.
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Crunchy cheese puffs: As harmless as small cheese-flavored chips may seem, the crunchy texture can still damage brackets.
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Tortilla chips: As a result, gum irritation is more likely to happen when hard edges poke or get caught between wires.
What Chips Can You Eat with Braces?
There are chips that are too hard to eat and can damage braces and chips that are too soft. Softer chips are easier to chew and less likely to break the brackets.
Best Soft and Braces-Friendly Chips
Choose chips that are softer and less crunchy if you want to eat them with braces.
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Baked chips: These are less likely to break because they are lighter and softer than regular chips.
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Cheese puffs: They are light and soft, so they break down easily and don't need to be chewed hard.
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Veggie straws: They are made from vegetables and are safer for braces because they are softer.
Tips for Eating Chips Safely
Yes, you can eat chips with braces, but these tips will help keep them in good shape.
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Eat one chip at a time: Taking small bites keeps the pressure on your braces to a minimum.
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Let chips dissolve slightly: Cheese puffs and other soft chips can melt in your mouth before you chew them.
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Use molars to chew: Don't bite directly with your front teeth to keep the brackets from getting too much pressure.
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Drink water after eating: To get rid of food particles and stop plaque buildup, this helps rinse the teeth.
What Junk Food Can You Eat with Braces?
Giving up all your favorite foods because you have braces is not necessary. It's okay to eat some junk food as long as it's soft and doesn't require a lot of chewing.
Braces-Safe Junk Food Options
If you're hungry for a snack, these are better than crunchy chips.
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Ice cream and frozen yogurt: These cold treats don't need to be chewed, so they're good for people with braces.
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Soft cookies and cake: Don't use crunchy toppings on soft baked goods, though.
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Soft crackers: Crackers or chips that are lightly baked and don't need to be chewed hard.
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Chocolate (without nuts or caramel): Doesn't stick to braces and melts in your mouth.
Junk Foods to Avoid
Even though they don't seem dangerous, some junk foods can damage your braces.
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Hard candy and caramel: Sticky foods can damage brackets or pull on wires.
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Gummy candies: These get stuck on braces and are hard to get off, which raises the risk of tooth decay.
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Popcorn and pretzels: A hard piece can break a bracket or get stuck between your teeth
What Chips Are Soft?
If you have braces, you can still eat some chips. As some of them are softer, you can eat them without worrying about hurting yourself. You can enjoy the salty taste of your favorite snacks without hurting your braces if you pick the right chips.
Chips That Won’t Damage Braces
Traditional chips that are too hard are not as good as chips that are softer. These choices make it less likely that brackets or wires will break.
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Baked chips: These are a safer choice because they are not as crunchy as regular potato chips.
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Veggie straws: If you have braces, these are better than rolled chips or other tortilla chips because they are softer.
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Flamin hot cheetos puffs: These are not crunchy like regular chips; they are soft and break apart easily in your mouth.
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Soft potato chips: Some lighter, thinner chips are safer than ones that are thick and crunchy.
Why Soft Chips Are Safer
It can damage your braces to eat hard foods like regular chips. However, softer chips are easier to chew and less likely to damage your braces.
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Less chewing pressure: Less force is needed to break soft chips, which helps keep brackets from getting damaged.
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No sharp edges: The edges of hard tortilla chips can be sharp and poke your gums or get stuck in dentures.
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Easier to clean: Tooth cavities are less likely to happen because soft chips don't leave behind as many food particles.
What Does Fully Healthy Offer?
Maintaining a healthy diet is very important while getting braces. While wearing braces, you can still eat a variety of snacks from Fully Healthy that are good for you and low in calories. Individuals who have to follow certain dietary guidelines can still enjoy tasty snacks with these options.
Specialty Diet-Friendly Foods Available
Many of the foods at Fully Healthy are suitable for special diets, which makes it easier to find options that are safe for people with braces.
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AIP-compliant snacks: Good choices for people with food allergies that are compatible with the Autoimmune Protocol.
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Gluten-free products: Delicious and safe for people who can't have gluten.
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Braces-friendly snacks: Soft options that are safe for people with braces.
How Fully Healthy Helps People with Dietary Restrictions
As an alternative to eating hard foods, Fully Healthy offers a range of snacks that are safe for people with braces.
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Safer alternatives: To avoid eating too many hard chips, pick softer, healthier ones.
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Easier meal planning: Their products assist people with special dietary requirements in keeping a properly balanced diet.
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Support for healthier snacking: People who want to avoid processed junk food should definitely try this.
Final Thoughts
Can you eat chips with braces? It's not necessary to give up snacks just because you have braces on. Crunchy foods like kettle chips and tortilla chips can damage brackets. Batter snacks and chips that are softer are safer. Choosing the right chips with braces keeps the brackets from breaking and food from getting stuck.
Hold off on eating Doritos until your braces are off. Avoid extra trouble during treatment by sticking to softer chips.
FAQs
Can you eat Doritos with braces?
No, it’s best to avoid eating chips like Doritos because they are too crunchy and can break brackets. Other tortilla chips are also risky.
Are puff snacks better than crunchy foods for braces?
Yes, puff snacks like flamin hot cheetos puffs are softer chips and dissolve easily, making them safer to eat with braces.
What happens if food particles get stuck in braces?
Food particles from crunchy foods like chips can lead to plaque buildup and cavities. Always rinse and brush after eating.
Can I eat softer chips every day with braces?
Even softer chips should be eaten in moderation. Too many starchy snacks can still cause tooth decay and prolong braces treatment.
How do I safely eat chips with braces?
Choose softer chips, chew with molars, and drink water after to remove food particles. Avoid hard crunchy foods to prevent damage.
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