Can you eat pizza with braces? This is a question we hear quite often from parents of tweens and teens, as well as adults who get braces in their older years. Pizza is one of America's favorite foods, and it's one that has many great memories associated with it. Watching the Big Game with friends, gathering around the dinner table with family, and even indulging in the occasional leftover slice for breakfast in the morning. Some of our best pastimes take place with pizza, and we'd hate to have to give that up or steer our children clear of one of the all-time best foods.
However, proper dental hygiene is important, and when you have braces, it's even more crucial. Eating the wrong foods or failing to care for the metal in your mouth can have costly effects. It's possible to damage your braces, and eating unsafe foods can even cause tooth decay. This can lead to emergency trips to the orthodontist or having to wear your braces for longer than initially anticipated, which is something no one wants. For this reason, it's best to stick to eating foods you know are safe and aren't likely to cause damage. Additionally, it's crucial to take proper care of your braces and teeth to avoid further dental issues. So, can you eat pizza with braces?
Luckily, the answer is yes, you can. However, there are some important rules, tips, and tricks to follow to make sure you avoid any urgent office visits and to help you enjoy your meal.
Risks of Eating Pizza with Braces
First, it's essential to look at why certain foods pose a danger to those with braces and why it's important to avoid these foods. There are several different elements of pizza to consider, including the crust, cheese, and any toppings that you like to add. Each of these factors can impact your braces differently.
Braces make it easier for food to get stuck between the metal and your teeth, which can increase your risk of gingivitis and tooth decay. Certain foods, and toppings, are more likely to get stuck than others. Pineapple, for example, which is a delicate fruit that pulls apart easily. Additionally, the high sugar content in pineapple makes it more likely to erode your teeth if it gets stuck.
The type of crust also makes a difference when asking, "can you eat pizza with braces?" Thin crusts may pose more difficulty, as they tend to be tougher and harder. This can make it challenging to chew with braces and can increase the risk of damaging the metal.
Lastly, while we know that everyone's favorite part of a pizza is the gooey, ooey, delicious cheese, this is another part of the pie that's likely to get trapped in the metal wires you have in your mouth. Unfortunately, there's not much that you can do to avoid the texture of melted cheese when you have braces, but taking small bites and being careful to clean your teeth after eating is the best route to take.
Tips for Eating Pizza with Braces
If you've had or have braces, you know that choosing what to eat can be difficult. But, it can be even more challenging to give up your favorite foods entirely, like Hungry Howie's® Pizza. That's why we're here to share our best tips for enjoying pizza when you have braces.
Tips for eating pizza with braces include:
- Go for toppings that are small and soft. Veggies are usually a safe bet. Avoid any toppings that are too tough, such as overcooked pepperoni. Also, avoid toppings that can be soft and stringy, such as pineapple.
- Go for thicker crust pizza. Try to avoid thin, crunchy crusts.
- Cut your pizza with a fork and knife and eat it in small pieces. This makes it easier to ensure you'll be able to chew the pizza with your braces and can avoid getting food stuck in your front teeth.
- Always floss immediately after eating pizza with braces.
- Avoid anything sticky on the pizza. Most people think cheese is sticky, but it's not the same kind of sticky as, say, caramel. The cheese on pizza is not likely to stick to your teeth or your braces if you properly clean them after eating.
Order Hungry Howie's® for Carryout or Delivery
So, what's the final verdict? Can you eat pizza with braces? Yes! You certainly can, as long as you avoid crusts and toppings that are too tough and hard, sticky, or stringy, and eat in small, careful bites. Of course, it's also essential to clean your teeth and the metal wires after eating for optimum dental health.
Are you getting hungry for a Hungry Howie's® pizza? We can't say we blame you. Order your favorite pie or menu items tonight for either carryout or delivery. Give us a call and place your order by phone or use our online ordering platform and use the HowieTrack® feature to see where your pizza is each step of the way.