Having braces can make eating certain foods more difficult. KFC chicken tends to be breaded and fried, which can present challenges for people with braces. However, with some adjustments, you can definitely still enjoy KFC chicken even while wearing braces.
Quick Answers
Here are quick answers to common questions about eating KFC chicken with braces:
- Yes, you can eat KFC chicken with braces, but you may need to remove the skin or breading to make it easier to chew.
- Try ordering KFC chicken tenders, nuggets, or popcorn chicken for smaller, softer pieces that are easier to eat.
- Avoid bones, which can damage braces. Stick to boneless KFC chicken pieces.
- Cut KFC chicken into small bites and chew slowly and thoroughly with your back teeth.
- Rinse your mouth out with water after eating to remove any food particles.
- Be extra diligent about brushing and flossing after eating KFC chicken to remove any remnants stuck in braces.
Challenges of Eating KFC Chicken with Braces
There are a few potential challenges that can make eating KFC chicken trickier with braces:
- Breading – The thick, crunchy breading on many KFC chicken pieces can be difficult to bite through and can get stuck in braces.
- Tenderness – KFC chicken can be quite tender and flaky, which means it may shred apart before you’re able to chew it up completely.
- Bones – Chicken on the bone requires pulling meat off with your teeth, which you need to avoid with braces.
- Spiciness – Spicy KFC chicken recipes like Nashville Hot Chicken or Smoky Mountain BBQ chicken may irritate braces or orthodontic sore spots.
- Dryness – The high cooking heat may dry out some KFC chicken pieces, making them tougher to chew.
However, while eating KFC chicken with braces takes a bit more care and caution, it’s certainly still possible as long as you make smart choices!
Best KFC Chicken Options with Braces
Here are the best KFC chicken options that are easier to eat with braces:
- Chicken Tenders – Tenders are a great choice since they are boneless and have a thinner breading.
- Popcorn Chicken – These bite-sized nuggets are tender and easy to chew.
- Chicken Nuggets – Like popcorn chicken, nuggets are an easy braces-friendly option.
- Grilled Chicken – Without breading, grilled chicken is a healthier and simpler option.
- Roasted Chicken – Opt for rotisserie-style roasted chicken for super tender meat.
- Mashed Potatoes – Try KFC’s smooth, creamy mashed potatoes to balance out chicken.
- Mac and Cheese – Their mac and cheese is soft and can help lubricate dry chicken.
Stick to these boneless, softer KFC chicken pieces without spicy seasonings or thick breading. And complement them with tender side dishes like mashed potatoes and mac and cheese.
Preparation Tips for Eating KFC Chicken with Braces
To make eating KFC chicken easier on your braces, follow these preparation tips:
- Remove any skin or breading – Use a knife and fork to peel off the fried skin or batter.
- Cut chicken into small pieces – Cut tenders or other pieces into bite-sized nuggets for easy chewing.
- Add sauce – KFC sauces like ranch, honey mustard or gravy can soften up dry chicken.
- Chew slowly – Take your time chewing with your back teeth, crushing food completely before swallowing.
- Swallow carefully – Be extra careful when swallowing chicken, as shreds could get stuck.
- Have water handy – Keep water on hand to help wash down chicken and dislodge any particles.
Taking these steps when preparing your KFC chicken will help you enjoy it safely and comfortably even while wearing braces.
Eating KFC Chicken Tips
Here are some tips to keep in mind while eating KFC chicken with braces:
- Avoid bones – Never try to eat chicken containing bones, which can damage braces.
- Use utensils – Use a fork and knife to cut chicken. Tearing with your teeth risks braces damage.
- Chew away from braces – Position chicken pieces to chew on your back teeth, away from braces.
- Eat slowly – Take your time chewing each bite thoroughly before swallowing.
- Check for particles – Carefully probe any part of your mouth that feels uncomfortable in case food is stuck.
- Floss after eating – Be sure to floss immediately after eating to remove any food debris.
Exercising caution while eating by following these tips will allow you to enjoy KFC chicken without a problem!
After Eating KFC Chicken with Braces
It’s important to take the right steps after eating KFC chicken if you have braces:
- Rinse your mouth – Swish water around your mouth to rinse away all chicken remnants.
- Check braces – Inspect braces closely in the mirror for any remaining particles.
- Brush well – Spend extra time carefully brushing all surfaces of your teeth and braces.
- Floss thoroughly – Use floss to remove any food stuck between teeth or wires.
- Avoid hard or sticky foods – Eat soft foods for the next meal to give your mouth a break.
- Use an orthodontic rinse – Rinse with a specialty orthodontic rinse to clean your mouth.
Paying close attention to cleaning your mouth, braces, and teeth after eating KFC chicken is key to avoiding issues. Don’t let remnants linger!
Foods to Avoid with Braces After Eating KFC Chicken
After eating KFC chicken with braces, stay away from these foods:
- Nuts
- Popcorn
- Hard candies
- Caramel
- Granola
- Dried fruits
- Apples
- Carrots
- Corn on the cob
- Celery
- Hard pretzels
- Ice
- Gum
These hard, chewy, sticky, and crunchy foods could all get stuck in your braces. Enjoy soft foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, eggs, or protein shakes for your next meal.
Potential Issues When Eating KFC Chicken with Braces
Here are some potential issues that may arise when eating KFC chicken with braces and how to handle them:
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Chicken stuck in braces | Use an orthodontic brush, proxy brush or floss to gently remove it. Rinse mouth with water. |
| Irritation around braces | Rinse with warm salt water. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever if needed. |
| Soreness from chewing | Stick to soft foods for 1-2 days. Avoid hard, chewy foods. |
| Cut or scraped mouth | Rinse with warm water. Use an orthodontic wax to cover sharp spots. |
| Loose bracket or wire | Avoid eating on that side. Call your orthodontist to schedule a repair appointment. |
Be aware of any mouth discomfort after eating KFC chicken. Get braces damage repaired by an orthodontist immediately.
Other Chicken Options to Eat with Braces
Here are some other easy, braces-friendly chicken options besides KFC to expand your diet:
- Softly cooked chicken breast – Plain chicken breast that is baked, poached or seared is tender.
- Shredded chicken – Chicken that is cooked and shredded into fine pieces is easy to chew smoothly.
- Ground chicken – Using ground chicken to make patties, meatballs or meatloaf avoids chewing difficulty.
- Canned chicken – Canned tuna-style chicken allows effortless chewing with braces.
- Chicken salad – Chopped chicken mixed into creamy mayo is simple to eat.
- Boneless wings – Get saucy wings without bones getting in the way of your braces.
Explore preparing these and other soft, boneless chicken dishes at home while wearing your braces.
Smoothie Ideas with Chicken
You can also incorporate soft, boneless chicken into smoothies that are perfectly braces-friendly. Blenderizing makes chicken easy to consume. Some smoothie ideas include:
- Chicken, banana and peanut butter smoothie – Whip up chicken breast with banana, peanut butter, milk and vanilla extract.
- Strawberry chicken smoothie – Blend shredded chicken with strawberries, Greek yogurt, honey and ice.
- Chicken avocado smoothie – Mix chopped rotisserie chicken with avocado, chia seeds, lime juice and coconut milk.
- Chicken salad smoothie – Blend canned chicken, mayo, celery, carrots, onion powder, lemon juice and ice.
Smoothies allow you to still enjoy the protein from chicken in a braces-friendly way. Add your choice of fruits, veggies, nut butters, juices or milk to creamify blended chicken.
Conclusion
While your braces may make eating trickier, you don’t have to say goodbye to enjoying KFC chicken. Stick to boneless options with thinner breading and complement it with soft side dishes. Prepare your chicken carefully, chew thoroughly with your back teeth, and be diligent about cleaning your mouth and braces after eating. With some adjustments, you can still savor KFC chicken without sacrifice while wearing braces.
