Special Hours and Information – Read More HERE
James Karpac Orthodontics
Dublin Office
Tue (Dublin) 8:00am – 5:00pm
Thu (Dublin) 7:30am – 4:00pm
Fri / Sat / Sun closed
James Karpac Orthodontics

Braces-Friendly BBQ Ideas For This Summer!

Summer has finally arrived, and all of us at James Karpac Orthodontics want to encourage everyone to stay safe in terms of social distancing, while still enjoying the warm weather with your family through classic summertime BBQ dinners!

Everyone loves summer food like grilled chicken, juicy cheeseburgers and corn on the cob, but when it comes to you and/or your child’s orthodontic treatment it’s important to keep some oral health considerations in mind while preparing your next BBQ meal. Having braces will make eating certain summer food items a bit trickier, and generally it’s best to avoid all sticky and crunchy items, especially corn on the cob!

There are always going to be several food items that braces patients should avoid, but at the same time there are countless incredible options that you can still enjoy while having braces. So here’s a list of braces-friendly BBQ ideas to consider this summer!

Summer Foods You Should Avoid While Wearing Braces

Before we get to all of the great ideas to eat this summer while wearing braces, it’s of course our duty to inform braces patients in terms of what they shouldn’t be eating this summer.

The first consideration you’ll need to keep in mind is that your teeth will inevitably be more sensitive throughout your treatment, and this is especially the case after adjustments. When your teeth are feeling a bit strained, it’s always a good idea to eat softer, colder foods that feel good in your mouth. This includes things like soft fruits, yogurt, cooked beans and steamed veggies.

If you’re wearing braces, it’s a basic rule of thumb that you should avoid any foods that are chewy, sticky or crunchy. Some of these crunchy foods include things like raw veggies, nuts, popcorn and chips, which all pose legitimate risks to braces.

The same goes for foods you have to bite into, including apples and corn on the cob. You’re never going to want to deal with a broken bracket, and some sticky foods to avoid include chewy candies, bubble gum and marshmallows. These foods can very easily get stuck within your braces and make it much more difficult to thoroughly clean your teeth to ensure clean and healthy oral hygiene!

Summer BBQ Ideas That Work Well For Braces Patients

Now that we’ve discussed some of the foods that braces patients should avoid this summer, let’s talk about all the incredible options you’ll have for summer BBQ meals!

Like we mentioned earlier, soft foods are friends of braces, so this makes potatoes a really great option as a braces-friendly food item. Potatoes are also a very versatile food, so we recommend getting creative like cooking baked potatoes or sweet potato wedges, and of course potato salad! There are countless ways to serve potatoes at your next BBQ, and here are some great options:

  • BBQ baby potatoes
  • Grilled sweet potatoes
  • Health-oriented potato salads

Although it may be best to try to avoid stringy or tough meats like beef jerky and steak, there are plenty of BBQ meats that are braces-friendly. When you put certain meats on a grill, it does a wonderful job of tenderizing and making the entrée juicy and easy to bite. When it comes to wearing braces you won’t have to worry about biting through these juicy meats, just try to avoid things like chicken wings that you’ll need to bite into.

We recommend meats like fish, boneless chicken breasts and pork. Veggie and hamburgers are also great braces-friendly BBQ options, so consider the following:

  • Grilled BBQ chicken
  • Easy BBQ ham and veggie burgers
  • Grilled salmon

Everyone knows that a solid summertime BBQ isn’t complete without tasty sides, and the good news for braces patients is that there are many different braces-friendly BBQ sides. Although you may not be eating corn straight off the cob, this doesn’t mean you can’t cut it up and create a nice salad with it. The following are some other great options for BBQ sides:

  • Texas BBQ chili
  • Mexican-style corn salad
  • BBQ baked beans

Reach out to Dr. Karpac and his Team for More Information About Braces-Friendly BBQ Foods!

We hope this article provides a clear indication that braces really don’t hold you back too much when it comes to eating your favorite BBQ dishes, and even though you may need to make a few adjustments for your braces you’ll inevitably have countless braces-friendly options.

Summer BBQs are a great tradition for every family, and always feel free to contact us online if you have any questions or concerns and would like to speak with one of our specialists!