Movies are a fun way to escape the summer heat, but, for people with braces, the concession stand can be a bummer. Before braces, you might have been excited to eat a bag of buttery popcorn every time you went to the movies. Now however, when you go to see the new “Finding Dory” or “Ghostbusters” installment, you have to be careful what you eat in order to avoid breaking a bracket or damaging an appliance. So next time you head out to see a summer blockbuster, if you’re in the mood for a salty snack like popcorn, opt instead for a hot dog, soft pretzel, or even pizza to satisfy your savory cravings. These treats paired with a drink are more filling and much less likely to ruin your braces.
In addition to opting for less crunchy foods, we encourage you to opt for less chewy foods. We know! Milk Duds and Snickers are delicious. But swap out chewy caramels for Hershey’s Bars or M&Ms. Softer chocolates reduce the chance that your brackets will get broken by a chewy piece of caramel. The same concept applies for slushies or soda. While sugar isn’t great for your teeth, its fine in moderation and will do no harm to your braces! Follow these tips and tricks to make sure your braces stay in place and you stay happy during your next trip to the movies.
And if you absolutely have to have popcorn at the movies, we discovered this braces-friendly treat that you can make at home. It tastes just like popcorn, so make it for your next family movie night!
Alternative Popcorn Treat
You’ll need:
- ¾ cup of butter
- 4 Cups of Cheerios Toasted Oat Cereal
- Salt
- Melt butter in a frying pan.
- Add Cheerios and brown, stirring to coat. Cheerios should be browned and crispy, not soggy.
- Add salt to taste.