Verified by Suzanna Maria
Suzanna Maria is a Doctor in Dental Surgery (DDS) and holds a Master’s degree in Esthetic and Prosthetic Dentistry.
If you’ve recently put on braces and are wondering if you can eat a few raisins, then this article is for you.
Can you eat raisins with braces?
No, we don’t recommend eating raisins with braces for two important reasons.
First, raisins tend to be very sticky and to break them down into small chunks; you will need to chew on them a lot.
This can potentially damage the alignment of your braces, especially if you are wearing metal ones.
Secondly, if you eat raisins with braces, you will have to clean your braces diligently.
Otherwise, you may end up with bad breath, which comes with its own set of social problems, like people may avoid being around you because of your breath.
Raisins are very sweet and have a lot of sugar content, and this could encourage tooth decay.
How to clean your braces if you have eaten raisins?
But, If you have already eaten some raisins, here’s what you need to do next
Step 1: Gargle your mouth with water – preferably warm; this should soften the dry fruit lodged between your teeth and braces.
Step 2: Use soft picks to clean around your braces and pay attention closer to the rubber bands and the brace brackets.
Step 3: Brush your teeth as you usually do.
Step 4: Use a mouthwash to get rid of any lingering smell.
And now, you are good to go!
Here are a few tips to keep your braces clean
Brush often – After enjoying a few raisins, we suggest brushing your teeth to dislodge any leftover food particles.
Soft toothbrush – Cleaning your gums, braces, and brackets is very important to your overall oral hygiene. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles because you will be brushing your teeth and braces more frequently and a soft toothbrush will prevent your gums from bleeding
Mild toothpaste – Since you will be brushing your teeth more frequently, we suggest using mild toothpaste to avoid inflaming your gums. Avoid any toothpaste with a strong smell.
Floss – Use a floss threader at least twice a day to keep your braces and mouth clean.
Use a mouthwash – Use a gentle mouthwash to remove any lingering smells.
Brush your tongue – Don’t forget to brush your tongue as well, because it can hold on to millions of odor-causing bacteria.
Brush longer – Generally, people tend to brush for 2 minutes every time, we suggest adding an extra minute and brushing at an angle to dislodge any food around your braces.
Can you eat chocolate-covered raisins with braces?
No, we suggest avoiding chocolate-covered raisins when you have braces on because they are very sticky and will get stuck to your braces, causing discomfort. Apart from that, it is also tough to clean.
Can you eat dry fruits with braces?
Dry fruits are fruits that have been dried, either naturally or through artificial means.
The water content of the fruit is significantly reduced through drying, resulting in a denser, shelf-stable product.
They can be stored for long periods and are often used as ingredients in recipes or as snacks.
Unfortunately, they also tend to be very sticky and will get stuck to your braces and the wire.
What do people dry fruit?
Drying fruit is a centuries-old practice that was initially developed as a way to preserve fruit for later consumption. The water content in fruit is typically around 80%, and by reducing this to 10% or less, the fruit becomes much less susceptible to spoilage.
It can be done in several ways, including sun drying, wind drying, and using artificial dehydrators. After the fruit has been dried, it is often treated with sulfur dioxide gas, which helps to preserve its color and prevent it from re-absorbing moisture.
Many different types of dry fruits are available, including raisins, dates, figs, apricots, and prunes. You can buy them packaged or in bulk at most grocery stores. But all of them are not safe to eat with braces.
Can I eat prunes with braces?
No, it would be best if you did not eat prunes with braces on. By avoiding eating them, you save yourself a lot of time attempting to remove them from between your braces and teeth.
Conclusion:
Please avoid eating raisins or prunes with your braces on, as they could cause a lot of damage to your braces. In addition, they often get stuck between your teeth and braces, making them hard to clean and remove.
