Getting braces can be an exciting time. After years of waiting, you finally have the opportunity to correct your teeth alignment and improve your smile. But once the braces are on, the hard questions start coming – what foods can I eat with braces? Is shrimp on the menu, or will my orthodontic adventure mean waving goodbye to succulent, savory shrimp?
I’m happy to report that yes you absolutely can eat shrimp with braces! While there are some dietary restrictions to be aware of shrimp can be a safe, nutritious, and delicious part of your braces diet. Keep reading to learn why shrimp gets the orthodontic green light and tips for enjoying it safely with braces.
Why Shrimp Works With Braces
Here’s the deal – orthodontists generally recommend avoiding hard, crunchy, and excessively chewy foods during braces treatment to protect the brackets and wires. Shrimp itself is not hard enough to pose a threat in most cases. However, there are a few considerations:
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Shrimp tails – tails left on large shrimp may be hard to bite through so tails should be removed.
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Fried shrimp – heavy breading or frying until very crispy can make shrimp risky. Opt for lightly breaded or sautéed.
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Shrimp prepared with other hard foods – avoid shrimp cooked alongside hard shellfish or mixed into crunchy slaws or salads.
When peeled. cleaned and prepared properly shrimp offer an ideal braces-friendly food
- High in protein to aid healing
- Easy to chew and swallow
- Naturally soft texture
- No small hard bits that can trap around orthodontics
- Nutrient-rich source of vitamins and minerals
Both children and adults can keep shrimp in rotation during orthodontic treatment by following a few simple precautions.
Preparing Shrimp for Braces
Shrimp can be enjoyed many ways with braces, as long as tails are removed and the dish has a soft bite overall.
Here are some preparation tips for eating shrimp with braces:
Remove Tails
Shrimp tails are hard and sharp – two things that spell trouble around brackets and wires. Whether cooking thawed shrimp at home or ordering out, be sure tails are removed before eating.
Go for Soft Preparations
Opt for sautéing, steaming, or grilling shrimp gently until just cooked through and slightly tenderized. Avoid very crispy frying or tossing shrimp in crunchy slaws or salads.
Keep it Small
Select small to medium shrimp which will be easier to chew than jumbo varieties. Cut larger shrimp into smaller pieces too.
Pair with Soft Ingredients
Enjoy shrimp in dishes like:
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Shrimp pasta in tomato sauce
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Shrimp tacos on soft corn tortillas
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Shrimp salad with mashed avocado
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Shrimp rice or noodle bowls
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Gumbos and bisques
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Seafood stews or chowders
9 Delicious Ways to Eat Shrimp with Braces
From quick weeknight meals to special occasion fare, here are 9 winning shrimp recipes for braces wearers:
1. Lemony Garlic Shrimp Pasta
Buttery shrimp sautéed with garlic, lemon, and herbs then tossed with linguine is a fast and delicious braces-friendly dinner. Try our simple lemony garlic shrimp pasta recipe.
2. Coconut Shrimp Curry
Coconut milk tames the spice in this creamy, fragrant Thai coconut shrimp curry. Serve over rice for an easy braces-safe meal.
3. Shrimp Tacos
Loaded with shrimp, pico de gallo, guacamole and spicy sour cream, these shrimp tacos check all the boxes. The soft corn tortillas are braces-approved.
4. Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo
There’s no time like braces time to enjoy the comfort food classic, shrimp fettuccine Alfredo. Get the 5-star recipe.
5. Shrimp Summer Rolls
Fresh and light, these shrimp summer rolls wrapped in soft rice paper make an ideal braces meal. Dipping sauce adds bold flavor.
6. Honey Garlic Shrimp
Kids and adults alike will love this sticky-sweet honey garlic shrimp. Serve over rice with steamed veggies for the perfect braces dinner.
7. Bang Bang Shrimp
Crunchy yet tender bang bang shrimp coated in a creamy, spicy sauce makes a fun braces meal. Get the popular restaurant recipe.
8. Shrimp Scampi
Shrimp sautéed with wine, butter, lemon and herbs is a fast and fancy shrimp scampi ideal for special occasions in braces.
9. Shrimp Spring Rolls
A light and fresh appetizer, these shrimp spring rolls wrapped in soft rice paper are a party pleaser for braces wearers.
As long as the proper precautions are taken, shrimp can be an excellent source of protein, nutrients and flavor during orthodontic treatment. Mild, versatile and full of braces-friendly potential, shrimp is one seafood favorite you don’t have to give up with braces!
Braces-Friendly Shrimp Safety Tips
While shrimp gets the braces thumbs-up, there are still a few precautions to take for safe eating:
- Remove all tails
- Avoid heavily fried or extra crispy shrimp
- Select small to medium shrimp
- Cut larger shrimp into smaller pieces
- Pair shrimp with soft ingredients
- Take small bites and chew thoroughly
- Remove any shrimp bits stuck in braces carefully
- Maintain excellent oral hygiene to prevent food-related issues
By taking care with preparation and eating, patients can keep enjoying the wonderful world of shrimp, braces and all! Consult your own orthodontist for their personalized food guidelines. With some simple adjustments, shrimp can still shine during this exciting orthodontic adventure.
More Tips for Eating With Braces
Wondering what else you can eat during braces or have other important questions? Here are some key tips to support your orthodontic success:
Useful Resources
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Foods to Avoid With Braces Guide – Get the full list of what not to eat with braces.
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Soft Foods for Braces Meal Ideas – Discover go-to foods to incorporate in your braces diet.
Helpful Hints
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Take small controlled bites of food.
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Cut larger pieces into small sizes.
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Chew slowly and thoroughly with your back teeth.
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Avoid hard, crunchy, sticky, chewy foods that can damage braces.
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Rinse after eating to clear debris.
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Brush and floss after every meal.
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See your orthodontist promptly if anything breaks or comes loose.
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Wear aligner trays, headgear and retainers as prescribed.
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Ask your orthodontist for brand recommendations of braces-safe snacks.
Words of Wisdom
Braces might require slight diet changes at first, but you can still enjoy a delicious, nutritious diet with some awareness. With shrimp and other braces-friendly meals in the mix, eating can still be exciting during orthodontic treatment. Embrace this opportunity to improve your oral health and smile! It will all be well worth it in the end.
Loose Wires and Bands
The wires and bands on your braces may come loose. In this case, please get in touch with us right away so we can check out and fix your appliance. Make sure to save any broken parts and bring them to the office with you if they come off.
You can fix the loose wire for now by carefully pushing it back into place with the eraser end of a pencil or the back of a spoon. If the loose wire is making your lips or cheeks hurt, cover it with wax or a wet cotton ball to ease the pain.
Soreness Caused from Braces and Appliances
You might feel some pain or tenderness in your mouth and teeth when you first get your braces on. What you’re feeling is normal, and we promise that your mouth won’t hurt forever! To ease the pain, mix one teaspoon of salt with eight ounces of warm water. For just two minutes, swish and gargle this solution in your mouth (do not swallow the saltwater).
You can also try taking a pain killer like ibuprofen or acetaminophen if the pain is worse and doesn’t go away after rinsing. During the first week or two, your lips, cheeks, and tongue may also feel sore as they toughen up and get used to the braces. We’ll gladly give you some wax to put on top of your braces to make them less painful. If you need some wax, please let us know.
It’s normal for your braces to make your teeth feel a little loose at first. This is so they can move your teeth into the right place. Once your teeth have been repositioned, they will no longer be loose.
Chips to avoid with braces #braces #chips
Can you eat with braces in your mouth?
It can be challenging to eat with braces in your mouth. Sticky candy or a tough steak might knock off brackets or wires. So you must choose your food wisely during orthodontics treatment. In the long term, braces aid in the development of healthier teeth and more attractive smiles.
Can one eat raw shrimps?
While raw shrimp or shrimp sashimi can be consumed safely, raw shrimp is considered a high-risk food because it can harbour harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and various Vibrio bacteria. Although some people consider the seafood used in ceviche raw, it is actually cooked by immersing it in an acid rather than using heat. The acid from the citrus can reduce harmful bacteria but it is not as effective as using heat. The safest approach would be to consume only cooked shrimp from a reliable source. The US Food and Drug Administration(FDA) advises that pregnant women, those with weakened immunity, older adults, and young children are at higher risk of foodborne illness and its consequences and should avoid all raw seafood.
Can you eat soup if you have braces?
Soups A warm soup is a great meal to have in your first week after getting braces. Soups come in a wide range of flavors and are simple to prepare. If you’re short on time, just open a can of soup, reheat it, and you’re ready to dine. Soups are a quick and easy soft food to eat with braces.
What can you eat with braces?
There are a lot of things you can eat with braces, but you may reward yourself by eating pudding, ice cream, frozen yogurt, applesauce, smoothies, and a variety of other soft foods. We don’t think we’ll have to twist your arm too much on this one.