We all have our favorite cereals. If you’re reading this, then it’s probably because Cheerios is one of yours. It probably also means that you or your child has recently paid a visit to the orthodontist to have a set of braces fitted to create that perfect smile! Put two and two together, and I’m guessing you’ve come here to find out if you can still eat your favorite cereal Cheerios, whilst wearing your recently fitted braces. So, I won’t keep you waiting any longer. Let’s find out if you need to say cheerio to your Cheerios.
So, can you eat Cheerios with braces? You shouldn’t eat Cheerios with braces as they can cause damage. This is because they are hard in texture. Crunching down on hard foods, like cheerios, generates stress, tension, and pressure. It is these forces that can potentially cause your brackets to pop off and your wires to bend. This will significantly hinder the progress your braces are supposed to be making in enhancing your smile.
Not the news you were hoping for, right?
But do not despair.
I do have a few tricks which may help you be able to still consume them.
So keep reading for those.
Until then, let us continue to explore why this particular cereal really isn’t ideal.
Contents
Why You Shouldn’t Eat Cheerios With Braces
You shouldn’t eat Cheerios with braces as their tough and crunchy texture can cause damage to your braces, subsequently extending the duration for which you need to wear them.
As a Cheerios lover, you can’t deny that they are quite hard in texture.
And as an expert when it comes to candy and sugary treats, I can’t deny that some delights just aren’t suitable for eating when your teeth are all wired up for two years.
Sadly, cheerios are one of those delights. So, let me explain in further detail why they’re not suitable for eating with braces.
Hard and Crunchy
As we know, Cheerios are hard and crunchy.
They require quite a lot of effort from your teeth to break them down.
When you wear braces, and you eat such foods that require this effort, you risk brace damage.
This is because the stress, tension, and pressure put on your teeth from normally eating hard foods, will be put on your braces as well.
This could lead to your brackets popping off and your wires bending.
So, every time you crunch down on some Cheerios with braces on, just know that there is a high chance their hardness could cause damage.
Whether your brackets have popped off or your wires have bent, you’ll need to have an orthodontist refit them.
Each time they refit them, the day you were due to have your braces removed gets pushed further down the calendar.
So, unless you want to be looking forward to your ‘free from braces day’ for the rest of your life, it’s best to limit the risks of brace damage.
Risk of Tooth Decay
Often there is a risk of tooth decay when eating sugary treats with braces.
This is because bits of food can get stuck and wedged in-between your brackets. If they are left up there unattended, then they will leave an excess of sugary bacteria which can cause tooth decay and even cavities.
Cheerios will get stuck up in your brackets, but fortunately, they are low in sugar, so the threat is not too high.
However!! There is still some sugar content in Cheerios, so there is still some risk of tooth decay there.
How You May Be Able To Eat Cheerios With Braces
You may be able to eat Cheerios with braces if you limit consumption, modify their texture and maintain impeccable dental hygiene.
Limit Consumption
We have to limit everything we eat. Even the really healthy stuff.
When you’re wearing braces, you have to be very careful not to put your teeth and braces through too much stress.
So, first things first, don’t eat multiple bowls of Cheerios a day! And don’t add some sugar on the top if that was previously your preference!
Making Them Soggy
In their natural form, Cheerios are hard.
So, please don’t eat them plainly without softening them first. You need to make them softer so that the risks of brace damage are reduced.
Pour your cheerios into a bowl, then pour your milk on top. Allow enough time to pass before your cheerios have absorbed the milk and, as a result, become soggy and soft.
By eating softer Cheerios, you’ll be putting much less stress on your teeth and braces! Make sure you chew slowly and carefully using your back teeth.
Don’t like your cheerios soggy? That’s just tough, I’m afraid. If you eat them hard, you are running a high risk!
Drink Water After
Take a big drink of water after eating Cheerios to rinse the excess sugar out of your mouth.
Dental Hygiene
Wait 30 minutes before brushing your teeth after eating Cheerios so that you allow your teeth’s enamel to return to its normal hard state after any sugary acids have softened it.
Please use fluoride toothpaste with a soft-bristled brush.
You should be trying to remove any bits of Cheerios that have decided they want to live in your brackets.
If a toothbrush doesn’t suffice, then you may need to get the dental floss out.
Tie a knot in the floss’ string and carefully use this to remove any remaining bits of Cheerios.
Alternatives To Cheerios To Eat With Braces
So, you might not have to say cheerio to Cheerios after all.
If you have decided you want to stick to this favorite cereal of yours, go ahead, but please do follow my advice in the above section.
This way, you’ll reduce the risks of brace damage and tooth decay possessed when digging into that good morning breakfast bowl.
But perhaps, having read what I have to say, you’ve decided that you might take a temporary break from Cheerios.
If that’s the case, don’t worry. There are too many cereals out in the world to count these days. This means there are many suitable alternatives to pick out.
What you’re looking for are those that are soft, easily chewable, and low in sugar content. This way, you reduce the risks of brace damage and tooth decay.
Rice cereals are a particularly good alternative as they possess all of these characteristics.
And always look to avoid those with added sugar.
Below is a list of some tasty cereals I would recommend you substitute for your Cheerios whilst you have braces.
Bear in mind that some of these will require you to soften them with milk!
- Quick Oats
- Weetabix
- Cornflakes
- Corn Pops
- Apple Jacks
- Rice Bubbles
- Rice Krispies
- Rice Chex
- Rice Reveals
- Reese’s Puffs
- Special K
- Cap’n Crunch’s Crunch Berries
- Raisin-Bran
- Puffed Wheat
- Frosted Mini Wheat
- Life
- Cookie Crisp
Read more: What Cereals Can You Eat With Braces?
Finally
With Cheerios, the main concern is their hard texture, as the sugar content isn’t that high.
But as a brace-wearer, you must always keep an eye out for sugary bacteria building up in your brackets, no matter what food it came from.
So, whilst not a very suitable cereal to enjoy with braces, their faults can be overcome with care and precision.
Whether or not you want to say cheerio to Cheerios is up to you!
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Hello, I’m Matthew, a candy expert and enthusiast with over a decade of experience in the candy industry. My passion for candy started at a very young age. Since then, I have worked in numerous, large candy stores, and have been fortunate enough to try out hundreds of brands of candies, different types and flavors. In addition to my work, I enjoy sharing my extensive knowledge with others, and decided to create Sugar Stand in order to do so. My mission is to make the world a sweeter place, one candy at a time.