The most important meal of the day, as they say, is breakfast. It’s where we get our energy and it’s when we are typically most hungry. Most of us normally enjoy a big bowl of our favourite cereal. But wait! You or your child has just had braces fitted. Is breakfast still going to continue as normal? Well, if ‘normal’ is stuffing your face at 8 am with hundreds of Fruit Loops, then stick around, as we’ll be finding out whether you can still eat them for breakfast whilst wearing braces.
So, can you eat Fruit Loops with braces? You shouldn’t eat Fruit Loops with braces as they can cause damage, pain and tooth decay. Eating Fruit Loops can bend your wires and cause your brackets to pop off. This is because Fruit Loops are hard and crunchy in texture. They can also cause tooth decay by getting stuck in your teeth and brackets, leaving behind an excess of sugary bacteria.
I know.
It’s pretty gutting.
But I do have some hacks that may allow you to eat them – at least every now again.
So keep reading for those.
But first, let’s delve deeper into why this particular cereal really isnt ideal.
Contents
Why You Shouldn’t Eat Fruit Loops With Braces
You shouldn’t eat Fruit Loops with braces as their unsuitable texture and high sugar content can cause damage to your braces and your teeth.
Alas, wearing braces is no walk in the supermarket.
You can’t just pick out whatever you want to eat and stuff it down, hoping that your braces will be ok.
There are rules you have to follow, otherwise, your braces will never be able to straighten and enhance your smile.
Sadly, Fruit Loops do not follow any rules. So let’s find out why.
Hard Texture
The texture is the first problem.
Sugary foods that are hard, chewy and sticky should be avoided.
Biting into food like this is quite tough so it generates pressure.
This pressure is not only put on your teeth, but also on your braces.
They are not built to withstand such pressure, meaning it could result in your wires bending or your brackets popping off.
Sadly, as you know, as a Fruit Loop lover, Fruit Loops possess this rather unsuitable texture.
Of course, you can take the risk, but just remember! Each time your wires bend or your brackets pop off, you’ll need the orthodontist to refit them.
This means you’ll have to wear your braces for longer than was originally planned.
They Can Easily Get Stuck
The second issue with Fruit Loops is that they can easily get stuck and wedged in between your brackets.
What’s worse is they are then quite difficult to clean and remove from your brackets.
‘Why is this a problem? I’m just saving them for later when I get hungry again?’ I hear you say.
Well, I’m afraid you can’t leave your Fruit Loops up there because they are so high in sugar content.
Meaning they’ll leave behind an excess of sugary bacteria which will cause tooth decay and potentially cavities as well. Who wants that, hey?
So, unfortunately, Fruit Loops do not pass the test. But it ain’t over yet!
How You May Be Able To Eat Fruit Loops With Braces
You may be able to eat Fruit Loops with braces if you limit consumption, modify their texture and maintain impeccable dental hygiene.
Limit Consumption
Too much of anything is bad for you, as my Grandma always used to say.
These words of wisdom are especially important for a brace wearer to hear.
The more stress and sugar you subject your teeth and brackets to, the higher the risks of tooth decay and brace damage are.
So, don’t overdo it with the Fruit Loops indulgence. And please, please, don’t add any more sugar to them!
Making them Soggy
Ever eaten your cereal so slowly that you’ve noticed it’s gone all soggy?
Well, this can be handy when you’re eating cereal like Fruit Loops.
As they’re soggy, they are softer, which means you’ll be putting less stress on your braces when you eat them.
So give those Fruit Loops a milky bath before you enjoy them.
Of course, this texture might not be to your taste, but I’m afraid it is the safe way to eat Fruit Loops whilst you have braces on.
Once you’ve softened your Fruit Loops, be careful about how you eat them. Chew slowly and carefully using your back teeth.
Drink Water After
Take a big drink of water after eating Fruit loops to rinse the excess sugar out of your mouth.
Dental Hygiene
After eating Fruit Loops, wait 30 minutes before brushing your teeth so that you allow your teeth’s enamel to return to its normal hard state after the sugary acids have softened it.
Please use fluoride toothpaste with a soft-bristled brush.
You should be trying to remove any bits of Fruit Loops 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 of the stubborn bits of Fruit Loops.
Alternatives To Fruit Loops To Eat With braces
The decision is yours to make. If you’ve decided to carry on having Fruit Loops for breakfast whilst you’re wearing braces, go for it! It’s your life after all. But please do so with caution.
But if you’ve decided to stay away from them at this time, don’t be too disheartened. There are plenty of alternative cereals out there that are suitable for eating with braces.
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 fulfil these qualities we are looking for.
And always look to avoid those with added sugar.
Below is a list of some tasty cereals I would recommend you substitute for your Fruit Loops 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
- Special K
- Raisin-Bran
- Puffed Wheat
- Frosted Mini Wheat
- Life
Read more: What Cereals Can You Eat With Braces?
Finally
Well, your morning routine may have changed significantly after reading this.
I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news. However, whatever way you look at it, things are positive.
If you abstain from eating Fruit Loops whilst wearing braces, then you won’t have to worry about any of the risks that come with them.
That being said, if you decide to eat them, just make sure you follow my tips on how to do so with as little risk as possible.
Either way, enjoy your breakfast!
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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.