Braces are a great option for achieving your best possible smile, but they can complicate your daily routine. Braces make it more difficult to brush and floss, and they require some additional consideration when you are selecting the right foods. Today’s blog from Parkcrest Dental Group discusses nutritious, orthodontist-approved foods to eat with braces.
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Breakfast
You’re used to eating cereal for breakfast. Milk is a wonderful choice because it provides calcium for strong teeth and bones. However, crunchy flakes aren’t the best. If you can stand it, allow the milk to soften your favorite cereal before eating it. Go for low- or no-sugar cereals to avoid acid.
Oatmeal represents an alternative to crunchy cereals, especially when you add fresh fruits to the mix. Smoothies are great because blenders turn fruits and even vegetables into something more manageable.
Pancakes with scrambled eggs are soft, combine protein and carbs, and allow for adding fruits or vegetables to the mix.
Lunch
You have plenty of lunch choices, especially if you experience soreness when you first receive your braces or after an adjustment. Rather than sandwiches, consider casseroles, pasta, soup, or stew. All of these foods allow you to add ingredients and choose hearty recipes. Macaroni and cheese is a popular choice because you can add vegetables or small pieces of meat.
Dishes with legumes represent a wise choice for lunch. They’re simple to make, and legumes (like kidney beans, black beans, and chickpeas) provide high amounts of protein and fiber to your diet. Chili allows you to add all kinds of tasty ingredients, such as your favorite ground meat, finely chopped vegetables, cheese, herbs, and spices. You can even add fruits, like pineapples, to give your chili a sweet flavor!
Dinner
Meatloaf and mashed potatoes are soft on your teeth. They’re also fantastic dishes that allow for versatility. Cheese, green onions, sauce, and gravy make these recipes taste delicious. Rather than ground beef, consider making meatloaf with ground turkey, pork, or chicken.
Chicken and pork recipes are fantastic meats for braces. You can easily cut chicken and pork into small pieces. Some cooking methods lead to softer meat. Consider pan-boiling these meats by putting a ½-inch of water in a skillet, laying the meat in the pan, covering the skillet, and then boiling until the meat reaches the right internal temperature (20 to 30 minutes on medium temperature). Marinating the meat overnight softens it ahead of cooking.
Drinks
Milk and water are the two best drinks you can have with braces. Make sure to brush and floss your teeth properly because milk can leave behind sugary acid in your mouth.
Desserts
Soft foods are ideal for desserts when wearing braces. Think about yogurt, pudding, and gelatin. Again, brushing and flossing 30 minutes after eating sugary foods can help prevent cavities and tooth decay.
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Braces and Orthodontics at Parkcrest Dental
We hope these tips will help you eat healthier when wearing your braces! Have more questions? Contact Parkcrest Dental Group or call (417) 887-1220 for more information.
