Got braces but craving sushi? I feel you. When I first got my wires and brackets, I thought my sushi days were over. But the good news is, you can totally still enjoy rolls and nigiri with orthodontic hardware in your mouth!
Sushi is an ideal food for brace face because it’s soft and simple to chew. The small, bite-sized pieces are perfect for eating gently without disturbing your braces. Just stay away from crunchy tempura or raw veggie sushi, which can damage wires.
Be sure to thoroughly clean your teeth after eating sushi, since rice and fish can get stuck in your braces. As long as you choose the right sushi and practice good oral hygiene, you can savor those yummy rolls without trouble!
Now let’s get into the nitty gritty details. What are the best types of sushi for braces? How can you properly care for your smile after eating? Read on for more tips and tricks for enjoying sushi with braces!
The Best Types of Sushi for Braces
Sticking to certain gentle, braces-friendly sushi makes eating easier and safer for your orthodontics:
Nigiri Sushi
These bite-sized rice pillows topped with fish or seafood are a great pick. The fish is easy to chew and swallow. Just don’t use your front teeth or bite down forcefully.
Rolls with Soft Fillings
Opt for rolls filled with smooth, tender ingredients like:
- Fresh fish
- Shrimp tempura
- Avocado
- Cucumber
- Cream cheese
Avoid tempura shrimp or veggies that are crunchy or crispy.
Seaweed Salad Rolls
Rolls wrapped in seaweed salad rather than nori are a good choice. The soft salad gently wraps around the rice and fish without irritating your braces.
Hand Rolls
Temaki hand rolls with a cone shape make sushi easy to nibble in small pieces.
The Worst Sushi Options for Braces
On the other hand, certain types of sushi can wreak havoc on your orthodontic treatment:
Crunchy Tempura Rolls
The fried, crispy coating of tempura can damage brackets or get stuck in braces. Skip these rolls.
Spicy Tuna Rolls
While delicious, the spicy sauce coats the fish and rice, potentially irritating braces. Go for non-spicy tuna instead.
Sushi Rolls with Raw, Hard Veggies
Raw vegetables like carrots or cucumbers in rolls can be extremely tough on your braces. They’re too hard to chew and can break wires.
Soy Sauce-Dipped Sushi
Skip dipping sushi in soy sauce, which is thick, sticky, and high in sugar content. It’s a magnet for food particles to cling to braces.
Sashimi
The thin slices of raw fish are prone to getting wrapped around wires. Stick to cut rolls instead.
Caring for Your Braces After Eating Sushi
It’s important to properly clean your teeth after eating to avoid complications:
- Rinse your mouth and braces thoroughly with water to remove food debris after eating.
- Brush and floss carefully around brackets and wires to dislodge anything stuck.
- Use an oral irrigator to flush out your braces. Position the tip behind wires and brackets.
- Swish mouthwash around brackets, wires, and bands. Look for anti-plaque formulas.
- Avoid hard, crunchy foods for several hours after eating sushi to prevent damage from food particles.
- Get professional cleanings every 3 months to remove plaque and tartar around braces.
Proper oral hygiene is critical to keeping your smile and braces healthy. Always clean your teeth within 30 minutes after eating sushi.
Eating Sushi Cautiously for Better Braces Results
The right preparation and care allows you to keep enjoying sushi without sacrificing your teeth and braces:
- Stick to gentle, braces-safe sushi rolls like nigiri, seaweed salad rolls, and hand rolls.
- Avoid sushi with crunchy coatings or raw, hard vegetables.
- Skip spicy and heavily sauced sushi which can irritate your orthodontics.
- Thoroughly clean your teeth, braces, and gums after eating.
- Get professional cleanings to remove plaque around braces.
- Avoid very hard or chewy foods for several hours after eating sushi.
With some caution, you can still satisfy your sushi cravings. Just be selective about ingredients and vigilant with oral hygiene. Your orthodontist will thank you!
What are your favorite types of braces-friendly sushi? Share your top picks in the comments!
FAQs About Eating Sushi With Braces
Will sushi damage or break my braces?
As long as you choose the right soft, tender sushi and avoid crunchy tempura or raw veggies, eating sushi will not damage braces. Be very gentle chewing and clean carefully after eating.
How long after getting braces can I eat sushi?
It’s best to wait at least 2 weeks after getting new braces before eating sushi. This allows your mouth to adjust to the wires and brackets before trying to chew sushi.
Is sushi safe for people with mouth sores from braces?
If you have mouth sores from braces, it’s best to avoid sushi until they heal. The salt, spices, acidity, and flavor can irritate open sores. Stick to soft bland foods.
Can I eat sushi with rubber bands on my braces?
Yes, just be extra careful. Remove elastics before eating, chew gently on back teeth, and rinse thoroughly after to prevent damage from food particles. Avoid very chewy sushi.
What food should I avoid with braces after eating sushi?
Avoid very hard, crunchy, chewy foods for several hours after eating sushi to prevent particles from getting stuck and damaging braces. Some foods to avoid include nuts, popcorn, hard candies, apples, corn on the cob, etc.
