Find out the best foods to eat while wearing braces.
Treating malocclusions (“bad bites”), crooked teeth and other dental issues when your child is young can be beneficial to their oral health in the long run; but more than ever adults are also looking at braces for straightening their smiles. Of course, once the braces are placed on the teeth our New York, NY, orthodontist Dr. Frank Andolino will go through the do’s and don’ts to make sure that you or your child won't have any issues during the course of the treatment.
Some food restrictions are necessary with traditional braces, and our New York orthodontist will also provide a list of foods to avoid throughout the treatment process. Maintaining a healthy smile is now more important than ever with braces. Ensure that you get the nutrients you need from all food groups without affecting the health of your braces.
Vegetables
Vegetables are full of essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients. Snacking on raw vegetables is discouraged, as they can break brackets and wires. Cut raw vegetables into bite-sized pieces instead and then use the back teeth to chew. Better yet, steam your favorite vegetables, which will still preserve some of the nutrients, but will make it much easier to eat.
Fruits
Fruits such as apples and pears can prove rather challenging. While there are some fruits that you may want to avoid, there are still braces-friendly fruits to choose from such as bananas, blueberries, raspberries and kiwi.
Whole Grains
Whole grains are essential for everyone’s diet because they provide fiber and other nutrients. Whole grains are usually much easier to consume with braces, as there are a ton more options. Enjoy brown rice, quinoa and lentils. Even soft whole-grain breads are fine. It’s just important to avoid bagels and hard, crusted breads, which could damage braces.
Lean Protein
You’ll want to find cuts of meat that are lean and tender. No eating chicken wings or ribs, as the bones could pull off brackets. You also don’t want to go for thick, chewy cuts of meat, which can be difficult to chew and get stuck in braces. Opt for chicken, fish, or lean cuts of beef or pork. If you don’t eat meat, tofu is a great source of protein and it’s soft.
Low-Fat Dairy
Again, this is another food group that will be friendly to your braces. Low-fat milk, cheese and yogurt are all excellent choices. If you are lactose intolerant there are non-dairy alternatives that are just as easy to enjoy with braces.
Whether you have questions about what foods are safe to eat with braces or you want to schedule a consultation to find out if you or your child could benefit from braces, Andolino Orthodontics in New York, NY, is here to help. Call us today at (212) 753-5575.