Braces-Friendly Summer Treats

Summer is full of food — and good news, most of it can still be on the menu with braces or aligners, as long as you know what to choose.

Sweet Treats That Won’t Hurt Your Smile

Soft-serve ice cream, frozen yogurt with soft fruit, popsicles (let them melt slightly first), and pudding cups are all great frozen options. Smoothies made with yogurt or almond milk are a cooling, braces-friendly way to beat the heat.

Invisalign wearers: remove your aligners before eating, rinse afterward, and brush before putting them back in.

Grill Master-Approved Foods

Barbecue season is still on the table with the right choices. Go for shredded chicken, pulled pork, hamburger patties, and sliced hot dogs without a crusty bun. Baked beans, mac and cheese, and grilled vegetables (skip the corn on the cob) round things out nicely.

Steer clear of ribs, whole corn on the cob, crunchy chips, and toasted buns — all of which can damage brackets or wires.

Fair Food Fun

Summer festivals don’t have to be off-limits. Cotton candy, soft pretzels, and funnel cake are solid braces-friendly swaps for popcorn, caramel apples, and hard candy.

Poolside Snacks

Sliced fruit, applesauce, string cheese, and soft granola bars make great poolside options. Just don’t skip brushing afterward — especially if you’re back in your aligners right after.

What to Drink

Water, herbal iced tea, and unsweetened sparkling water are the safest bets. Sugary sodas and acidic drinks like lemonade are worth limiting, since they can affect both your teeth and your appliances.

A Few General Reminders

Carry a small oral care kit with you, skip chewing on ice, cut food into smaller pieces, and stick to your normal brushing routine after meals and snacks — even the braces-friendly ones.

Have a question about what’s safe to eat during your treatment? Reach out — we’re happy to help you plan around whatever the summer throws your way.