Can you actually have chips with braces? Or is your favourite snack going to be a frustrating, painful experience? If you're one of those people who've just gotten braces, you know all too well how difficult it is to sort out the foods you can and can't have. Chips, for instance, are a pleasure for many, but they're off-limits when you have braces. The desire to crunch on crispy, salty chips feels almost impossible when you're concerned about ruining your braces or feeling pain.
But here's the good news: you can eat chips with braces—although with some care and consideration. Throughout this guide, we will guide you through everything that you need to know. If you have a craving for something salty, we've got you covered.
What Happens When You Eat Chips with Braces?
Munching chips while wearing braces is not just about satisfying your hunger; it's also about taking good care of your braces. Braces shift teeth by exerting constant pressure, so they are more delicate than you know. When you bite on hard or crunchy foods like chips, the crunch pressure can actually hurt the brackets, wires, or bands holding your braces together.
For instance, biting a very hard chip will loosen your brackets or even dislodge them altogether. This will set back your treatment and additional visits to the orthodontist for adjustments. Chances are, chips are also hard and rough, and hence, they have a tendency to get wedged in the tiny crevices between your teeth and the braces. Not only is this excruciating, but it also poses the risk of getting cavities and plaque accumulation if detected late.
Also Read: How to Remove Tartar from Teeth Without a Dentist might help you avoid plaque build-up caused by such situations.
Braces are hard to handle with regard to food, and chips make it worse. The crunching, biting, and chewing sensation can put too much strain on your gums and braces and make it painful to eat. Chips, therefore, can be harmless-looking, but they are hazardous and deserve serious thought.
Types of Chips to Avoid
When it comes to chips, not all chips are created equal—some are certainly worse for those with braces than others. Tough, crunchy chips are the biggest culprits when it comes to damaging your braces.
These types of chips, such as thick potato chips or kettle chips, require a great deal of force to chew and can cause undue pressure on your brackets and wires. Even the seemingly harmless tortilla chips, when eaten in big pieces, can be hard to chew and perhaps cause the same damage.
Thick, crunchy chips can be a problem as well because they're guaranteed to be chipped into sharp pieces when you bite on them. These sharp pieces tend to get stuck between your teeth or braces easily, and this will hurt and increase the likelihood of plaque buildup if you don't clean them off thoroughly. The force required to chew them can be painful as well, particularly when you're getting used to wearing braces.
Sticky chips or chips with too much seasoning on them are also a problem. The seasoning gets stuck on your braces, and you are left with a sticky mess that is hard to clean off. This makes them not only a likely source of damage but also a breeding ground for bacteria if the sticky buildup is left in your braces. Even though you enjoy the taste, these chips can make it very hard for you to keep your braces as clean and your mouth as healthy as possible.
For a safer option, choose softer chips with less danger. But don't eliminate chips altogether—they just require a little care when selecting and eating them.
What Chips Can You Eat with Braces?
Not all chips are equal when you wear braces. Of course, some of them are to be avoided for your braces' sake, but some are safer to eat—albeit with a little moderation and care. The secret to being able to eat chips when you wear braces is to select the right kind and chew them properly.
To start with, thin chips that are soft are a good option for people with braces. The chips will break down easily when chewed and do not need as much pressure on your brackets. Consider plain potato chips that are thin and light or chips with softer components. Alternatively, you can opt for baked chips rather than fried chips since they become softer and less crunchy.
If you want a nice little flavour burst, low-fat or baked tortilla chips are an acceptable choice. They're thinner and crisper but less dense and more likely to break up. Although they're not as soft as regular potato chips, they're still much kinder to your braces than the thicker variety.
The trick to eating chips safely with braces is to cut the chips into small pieces before you bite into them. This helps to lower the chances of biting down too hard and wrecking your braces. Also, chew slowly and softly, chewing on the back teeth and not the front teeth.
By being clever and eating these chips in moderation, you can still have a snack without damaging your braces or your mouth.
How to Protect Your Braces While Eating Chips
Eating chips while keeping your braces safe also involves more than choosing the right chips. You also have to consider the manner in which you consume them. If you are stubborn enough to eat chips but do not know how there are certain considerations to consider when eating chips without compromising your braces.
One of the simplest ways of protecting your braces is to cut the chips into bite-sized portions initially before eating. Cutting the chips into portions lessens the amount of pressure that your braces sustain and makes you less prone to biting down aggressively. Bite-sized portions also make it possible to avoid chips sticking between brackets. Eating slowly and slowly can also reduce the pressure applied to the braces, lessening the chance of damage.
Also Read: How to Floss with Braces: All You Need to Know provides further insights on cleaning between braces.
Chew chips with your back teeth because they are stronger and will be able to withstand the force better than your front teeth. This will minimize the chances of applying too much force on the brackets, which will lead to them breaking or moving the wires.
After meals, make sure to brush your braces well. Chips have a tendency to lodge in difficult-to-reach areas, so brushing is required. If possible, rinse your mouth with water after meals to loosen any crumbs left behind and avoid the formation of plaque.
These actions enable you to continue enjoying your favorite foods and your braces simultaneously and yet maintain good oral health.
Alternative Snacks for People with Braces
If chips just aren't the snack you're in the mood for with your braces, don't worry—there are loads of other good and delicious choices. Soft fruits like bananas, applesauce, or seedless watermelon are great for a person with braces because they are soft and won't put too much pressure on your brackets. Smoothies and yoghurt are also delicious and gentle choices that can still fulfil your desire for something sweet or a refreshing pick-me-up.
Soft granola bars (no hard nuts or large chunks) will also be okay, as they are chewy but will not be dangerous to your braces. Cheese and crackers, if not too hard crackers, are also a good savoury option. Even air-popped popcorn (lightly chewed) can be an acceptable snack choice.
By choosing snacks which are soft and easy to chew, you can enjoy a variety of snacks without risking damaging your braces or causing you discomfort.
The Bottom Line
You can eat chips, but you can do so as long as you select the right kind and eat them in the right way so as not to harm your braces. Make sure you break chips into tiny pieces, chew slowly using your back teeth, and clean your braces gently afterwards.
Good oral care is crucial to keep your braces in prime condition throughout your treatment. The Oclean Air 2 Sonic Toothbrush is the perfect toothbrush for individuals who have braces because its advanced cleaning technology offers in-depth cleaning around brackets and wires so that you can still enjoy your favourite foods and have a healthy smile. Keep your braces clean and your smile bright with the right toothbrush—because your oral care should never take a backseat.