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Posted on 6/25/2019 by Dr. Daniel Sawrie |
 An apple a day, keeps the doctor away, or so the saying goes. But what happens when you have braces? Most will tell you that apples are on the list of forbidden foods, along with corn on the cob and chewing gum, until those braces come off. This, however, is not the case. You don't have to avoid apples. There are just a few things you should know before you take that first bite. Cut it Up It's true. You don't have to avoid apples. But never bite into one whole. The pressure of doing so could easily bend or break the wires and loosen brackets. Instead, cut the apple into thin slices or small chunks. This way, it doesn't take much effort to bite and chew. Remove the PeelsBefore you cut up your apple, remove the peel for extra reassurance. The peel is tough, and can get stuck in the wires, which can pull and bend them. Removing the skin will lessen the likelihood of damage. Avoid Caramel ApplesThe sweet sticky coating that is often put on the exterior of apples can do just as much damage as a whole apple itself. It can get stuck in the wires and brackets and pull as you bite and chew, pulling brackets loose and contorting wires. Instead, dip slices into a caramel sauce, which is a smooth liquid, therefore avoiding the gooey mess of caramel coating. Cook Your ApplesCooking apples will soften them, making them much easier to bite into and chew. You can go about this in a couple of ways. First, you could bake them. Baking apples create a delicious warm treat that is reminiscent of the holidays. Simply slice them up and coat them in sugar and cinnamon. Or, you can make an apple pie or cobbler. However, when you bake your apples, they will be rendered soft enough that there is little chance of damaging your braces. Or you can cook your apples even further on the stovetop with some water, cinnamon and sugar, creating your own, homemade applesauce. You can even get creative and add berries or honey. Having braces doesn't mean avoiding apples. Getting creative with this sweet fruit will yield some tasty results you can enjoy long after those braces come off! |
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