January 19 is National Popcorn Day, but if you have braces, you might be missing this salty snack! Unfortunately, popcorn is an absolute no-go when you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment. The hulls of popcorn often get wedged into your braces, causing painful swelling of the surrounding gum tissue. Plus, the kernels of popcorn can easily break your brackets or distort your wires!
However, if you love popcorn, you’ll be happy to know that there are several great alternatives that are perfectly safe to consume with braces. If you find yourself missing popcorn during this National Popcorn Day, try one of these great, salty snack options instead:
Pirate’s Booty (or any other airy, cheesy puff of your choosing)
Eating handfuls of this delicious treat is a very similar sensation to eating popcorn—without the danger of hulls and kernels! Pick up a bag of Pirate’s Booty at your local grocery store and snack away.
Soft pretzels
If you find yourself at a movie theater this winter, you might experience some extra temptation when you smell the popcorn butter. Luckily, you don’t have to skip the movie snacks entirely! If you’re looking for a braces-friendly treat at the movie theater, we recommend a tasty soft pretzel.
Pita bread and hummus
This is another great savory snack that is soft enough to eat with braces. Plus, the hummus packs in a protein punch!
Cauliflower “popcorn”
Roasted cauliflower florets are a great finger food alternative to popcorn. Try roasting a whole cauliflower with olive oil and the herbs and seasonings of your choosing for 15-20 minutes at 420 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, break off the tasty florets for a delicious snack! Flavorful, roasted cauliflower is soft enough to consume with braces, and it’s much healthier than buttery popcorn.
Even though you might have to take some time off from certain snacks while you have braces, there are plenty of equally delicious options to get you through. This National Popcorn Day, try out some creative alternatives—you might even discover a snack that you like better than popcorn!
If you’re looking for other snacking options—or if you have any other questions or concerns regarding your braces—give us a call today.