Dining out is part of the Lincoln lifestyle. Whether it’s a quick meal in the cafeteria between school activities, treating yourself to a lunch out, catching up with friends, or a family dinner out, food plays an important role in your routine. When you begin braces treatment at Clabaugh Orthodontics and have to change your diet, you might wonder how this changes things. The truth is, you can still enjoy restaurants in Lincoln, NE, while protecting your smile. With a few smart choices and good habits, you’ll find that healthy dining and braces go hand in hand.
What Can You Eat With Braces?
Let’s start with what food metal braces and clear braces don’t require you to avoid, which, you’ll be happy to hear, is a wide variety of things. Soft pastas, rice bowls, soups, poke, and tender proteins like fish or shredded chicken are all braces-friendly and easy to enjoy at restaurants like the Gray Whale Poke Bowl. Cooked vegetables such as carrots, zucchini, and squash are also fantastic healthy options for braces, as they keep their flavor while being gentle on your teeth, and foods like mashed potatoes or yogurt make simple, filling sides that don’t put your braces at risk.
You’ll also find that many spots have soft food for braces that are good for you, even if they don’t market themselves as “healthy,” so there’s no need to feel like your choice of restaurants is annoyingly pigeon-holed. Once you realize how many foods are still on the table (pun intended), dining out with braces feels far less limiting.
What Can You Not Eat With Braces?
If you’ve been wanting to change your eating habits to be a little healthier or have been wanting to expand your palate and try new things, now is the time, while you’re in treatment. You have a built-in excuse for avoiding all those snacks and treats you kept saying you were going to swear off, giving you the opportunity to check out some items you might’ve previously skipped over.
Foods that are sticky, crunchy, or chewy are the toughest on braces and the most likely to cause issues. Popcorn, nuts, caramel, hard candies, and gummy sweets are the usual culprits. Even healthy options like raw carrots and whole apples can be too harsh in their natural form. Exploring softer alternatives or other preparations opens the door to foods you might not have paid attention to before when dining out, like roasted vegetables, baked apple slices, or grain bowls with tender toppings. These swaps keep your braces safe while adding variety to your meals.
At Clabaugh Orthodontics, our team sees Lincoln orthodontics patients every day who get creative with their choices and discover new foods they end up loving. It’s easy to do when your community has so many great options! At Pepe’s Bistro, for example, skipping the crunchy nachos for a soft taco keeps your braces secure without compromising the meal’s deliciousness. With a little flexibility, you’ll protect your smile during treatment with Dr. Clabaugh and still enjoy the restaurants you love.
Healthy Dining Out Tips For Lincoln Orthodontics Patients
When it comes to braces care, the way you order food at restaurants matters as much as what you eat at home. Here are a few tips to make healthy dining simple:
- Scan the entire menu. Restaurants often have delicious hidden gems tucked away in sections that you might miss if you only look at entrées. If your usual choice is off-limits because of your braces, you might discover your next favorite meal this way!
- Check for softer options. Even if the restaurant isn’t known for healthy food, many have pasta, rice, or soup choices that are gentle on braces.
- Request modifications. Ask for steamed vegetables instead of raw or mashed potatoes, instead of onion rings. Most places are happy to make small changes.
- Think texture. Focus on dishes that are tender, moist, or creamy rather than crunchy or tough.
- Balance your meal. Choose lean proteins, cooked vegetables, and whole grains when possible to support both your orthodontic treatment and overall health.
- Explore widely. Don’t feel limited to “healthy” restaurants. Many local favorites offer braces-friendly choices that are also good for you, even if they don’t market themselves as health-conscious.
Dining out with braces doesn’t mean missing out. It means taking a thoughtful approach so your smile stays protected while you still enjoy the foods you love.
How To Keep Your Braces Clean After Dining Out
Cleaning your braces at home is part of your routine, but eating out can make it a little less straightforward. Meals often include sauces, seasonings, or small food particles that cling to brackets and wires, and if you’re not prepared, your braces will carry that around until your nightly oral hygiene routine!
Carrying a small kit with a travel toothbrush, toothpaste, and a proxy brush lets you freshen up quickly, even in a restaurant bathroom. If brushing isn’t possible, rinsing with water helps loosen particles and reduce plaque until you can get to your regular routine. These steps might feel inconvenient when you’re out and about, but they keep your teeth and gums healthy while your braces do the work of straightening your smile.
Why Does Eating Healthy Matter With Braces?
What you eat plays a bigger role in orthodontic treatment than you might realize. Braces guide your teeth into alignment, but your diet influences how smoothly that process goes. Choosing foods that are gentle on brackets and wires keeps your appliances secure, while nutrient-rich meals strengthen the teeth and gums supporting your treatment.
Calcium-rich foods like yogurt or soft cheeses help keep your teeth strong. Lean proteins, such as fish, chicken, or beans, support tissue repair, which can make adjustments more comfortable. Cooked vegetables deliver essential vitamins without the crunch that can damage braces, and whole grains add fiber to keep your overall health on track and set the foundation for a healthier smile long after treatment ends.
Keep Dining & Smiling With Clabaugh Orthodontics
Life with braces should feel exciting, not limiting, and the right orthodontist makes all the difference. At Clabaugh Orthodontics, Dr. Clabaugh personally oversees every patient’s care, combining board-certified expertise with a commitment to treating you like family. If you’re ready to start treatment with a team that prioritizes your health, confidence, and comfort, we’d love to welcome you. Call today or request your free consultation to see how Clabaugh Orthodontics can help you achieve the smile you’ve been waiting for.