Avoid These Summer Treats That Can Damage Your Braces

Summer heat is creeping up on us, and while some summer treats are just fine, others may damage your braces and should be avoided. We also want to warn against leaving your Invisalign clear aligners in a hot car. 

If you’re looking to cool off by biting a popsicle or crunching some ice, be careful of your braces! Hard items can damage your braces and loosen brackets from your teeth. That includes nutty toppings on ice cream, such as walnuts and pecans. 

Connolly Orthodontics wants you to have a safe, healthy, happy summer without any braces emergencies. So here are a few tips for enjoying summer treats without damaging your braces or clear aligners. 

What Should I Avoid With Braces?

Anything hard or crunchy can damage your braces, from loosening or breaking off brackets to breaking wires. You want to avoid biting into hard popsicles, crunching ice, or adding hard nuts — including walnuts, peanuts, pistachios, and pecans — to your ice cream toppings. Fruit popsicles tend to be softer, so eat them with caution. 

You also don’t want to add hard candies to your ice cream or toffee pieces. Chewy candies can stick in and around your braces and cause problems. So avoid the Heath toppings and nuts. 

You can enjoy a summer blockbuster, but avoid the popcorn in the movie theater. Popcorn kernels can get caught up in your braces brackets and under wires. So enjoy the movie, but not the movie theater popcorn. 

Headed to an afternoon barbecue? Cut the corn off the cob before enjoying it, and pull the rib meat off the bone. Otherwise, you could damage your braces biting into them. 

If you want to review the list of no-no foods with braces, we’ve created one for you. Keep in mind, these restrictions are temporary and are only while you wear metal braces or clear braces. Those with Invisalign can simply remove their trays to enjoy their favorite foods. 

What Can I Enjoy With Braces?

There are plenty of summer favorites to enjoy with braces! Dig into that delicious ice cream treat or frozen yogurt or custard. Have a bite of watermelon (minus the seeds), or enjoy a nice, cool smoothie. 

Can you have a sno-cone? Absolutely! Just don’t crunch the ice. Let it melt in your mouth. And yes, you can enjoy that sundae — just without the nutty topping. 

There are plenty of summer treats to keep you cool and that won’t damage your braces. Enjoy them carefully, and you and your braces will be safe!

What About My Invisalign?

The great thing about treatment with Invisalign is you don’t have food restrictions. You simply remove your Invisalign before eating, so there’s no damage done. 

Just be sure to put your Invisalign into an approved storage container, and don’t keep that container in a hot car! Remember, extreme heat can damage your Invisalign trays, causing them to warp and not fit correctly. 

Give us a call if your Invisalign gets overheated and warps. We don’t want you trying to wear warped trays. They could damage your progress. 

Tips for Summer Care for Braces and Invisalign

Here are some tips to get your treatment through the summer safely. 

• Avoid foods that are crunchy, hard, chewy, or sticky. These foods can damage your braces. 
• Avoid keeping your clear aligners in a hot car. They can warp and not fit properly, which means they will not move your teeth properly. 
• Take the meat off the rib bones and the corn off the cob before enjoying these barbecue favorites. Biting into them can damage your braces brackets. 
• Keep your Invisalign trays in a proper storage container. Never wrap them in a napkin in a restaurant. You may inadvertently throw them out. 
• Brush and floss your teeth daily. Keep up with your regular dental appointments for cleanings. 
• Call us immediately if you damage your braces or clear aligners. 

These tips can help you get your braces and clear aligners through the summer safely. We don’t want you interrupting your summer vacation plans with emergency trips to our office! 

FAQs About Braces and Cold Treats

What is an orthodontic emergency? 

Damage to your braces or clear aligners counts as an orthodontic emergency, as does any injury to your teeth, gums, or mouth. Call Connolly Orthodontics in Ballantyne, NC, if you have an orthodontic emergency as soon as possible so we can get you in for repairs. 

What if I accidentally pop off a bracket and swallow it? Will it hurt me?

Most of the time, the brackets will stay attached to the archwire. If you swallow it, don’t worry about it! It is nontoxic and will pass through your system within 24 hours. 

What do I do if my Invisalign tray is lost or damaged?

We may have you go back to your previous one or move forward to the next one, depending on how close you are to changing them out. Give us a call so we can discuss it. 

How often will I need to visit your office during the summer?

We usually schedule visits every 4-6 weeks to check your progress and ensure your braces are intact and don’t need adjustments. We will usually make adjustments during your visit, so your teeth might be a bit sore afterward. 

Braces Treatment in Ballantyne, NC

Connolly Orthodontics can help get you through the summer with your braces or clear aligner treatment. It shouldn’t be too hard as long as you adhere to the rules. 

Are you ready for orthodontic treatment in Ballantyne, NC, or Matthews, NC? Schedule an appointment with Connolly Orthodontics.