Article written by Diamond Braces Clinical Staff
Article medically reviewed by Dr. Oleg Drut
Peanut butter is a staple food in many diets across the world as one of the most versatile foods available. You can put it in a sandwich, slather it on crackers, or just dig in with a spoon. Luckily for peanut butter lovers, you can have your favorite treat while undergoing braces treatment. Peanut butter is soft but not too sticky, meaning you can enjoy it with braces.
You may have to make sacrifices if you prefer crunchy peanut butter. But some peanut butter is better than no peanut butter, right? Read on to learn more about eating various forms of peanut butter while wearing braces.
How To Safely Eat Peanut Butter With Braces
Eating creamy peanut butter with braces is manageable. Choose a smooth, creamy variety. This type of peanut butter is less likely to trap in your braces. However, you must maintain oral hygiene after consuming it.
After enjoying peanut butter, always brush and floss your teeth. This practice is vital for those wearing traditional braces or Invisalign.
Rinsing your mouth is also a good habit. It helps remove any remaining bits from your braces. Remember, regular care is key when eating foods like peanut butter with braces..
Avoiding crunchy peanut butter is crucial, especially if you have braces. This type of peanut butter contains whole peanuts. These peanuts are often hard to chew.
Chewing them with braces can be problematic. When you bite into these hard peanuts, you risk damaging your braces. Such damage can prolong your treatment time.
Crunchy peanut butter poses a risk of getting stuck in your braces. This can lead to complications in your oral hygiene.
It’s important to choose foods that won’t damage your braces. By doing so, you maintain the effectiveness of your treatment. Avoiding crunchy peanut butter helps prevent any setbacks in your treatment time.
Can You Eat Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches With Braces?
Yes, you can have peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with braces. Creamy peanut butter and soft jelly combine forces to create a great lunch or snack food. Avoid eating crunchy peanut butter, because the whole peanuts can be too hard for you to chew with your braces. If you try to chew too hard, you can damage your brackets and wires.
Also, avoid toasting your bread, and stick with sliced bread. Hard rolls and toasted bread can be too hard to chew, which can lead to damaging your braces.
Can You Eat Peanut Butter Crackers With Braces?
As long as both the peanut butter and the crackers are soft, then you can safely eat them with braces. crunchy peanut butter and hard crackers should be avoided with braces, as these can damage your appliance.
Be sure to brush your teeth after eating and perform the rest of your oral hygiene routine, too. Peanut butter and crackers can get lodged in hard-to-reach braces and present a feeding ground for harmful bacteria.
- Note: Avoid using your front teeth to bite down on your peanut butter crackers. If you are unable to fit the cracker in the back of your mouth, consider breaking them in half before trying to eat them. You should avoid eating foods with your front teeth to avoid sensitivity, pain, or damage to your appliance.
Can You Eat A Reese's Peanut Butter Cup With Braces?
Absolutely. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are made with soft chocolate and peanut butter, two soft foods which can be safely eaten with braces.
During your orthodontic treatment plan, be mindful of how certain foods can affect the movement of your teeth. Eating hard and sticky foods, like specialty peanut butter cups with nuts, caramel, or nougat, can interfere with tooth movement. This can cause damage to your braces or aligners, potentially delaying the progress of your treatment.
Instead, focus on a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Be cautious with how you eat them, though.
Moving your teeth, for instance, biting into corn on the cob can be harmful to your appliance. Such practices not only impede the tooth movement but also can lead to an unplanned office visit for repairs. Avoiding these foods reduces the risk of tooth decay and ensures a smoother and more efficient orthodontic journey.
Conclusion
You can absolutely eat peanut butter with braces. Stick with creamy varieties and keep the crunchy butters until you have completed your braces treatment. Once you’re done with your braces treatment, you can enjoy crunchy butters with your crackers, toast, and PB&Js.
