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28 Jun Orthodontics and Food Selection = Fuel the foodie in you! True Dental

At True Dental we’re about creating dental opportunities, not limitations. But we want to take the time to educate our orthodontic patients about the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to braces and food selection. Choosing a clear path in orthodontic treatment can mean food avoidance and substitution, but we also want to equip you with a list of appliance friendly options to feed your inner foodie, whatever your craving may be!

Braces Dining Etiquette

Before we get into specifics of food selection, lets take a moment to assess the do’s and don’ts of braces food etiquette to make sure you can enjoy your tasty choices! We recommend having the colplimentary Ortho Hygiene Kit handy at all social events so you are prepared for any situation. A simple travel toothbrush, travel toothpaste, a pocket mirror, and floss kit can have a huge impact on eating socially. Having a proper hygiene kit can make having braces hassle free when dining outside of your home. Having a great dinner conversation, but you don’t want to spend it staring at your dinner plate or excusing yourself excessively? No problem. Simply get into the habit of sweeping your tongue around your braces after each bite to remove particles that may have been lodged to avoid the embarrassment factor. Lastly, dine with friends. Most individuals have undergone some type of orthodontic treatment and understand the hazards of eating and braces. A quick reassurance from your dining companion that you’re clean and food free will have you enjoying the food and the conversation.

What you Might say Pass on…

Alright, lets to get to the main course of this article. What foods are appliance nightmares and what can you ask seconds for! For the sweet tooth aficionados’ out there, we recommend holding off on sticky or hard candy. Not even advised for non-orthodontic patients, the effects of caramels, taffy, and hard candy can be sweet for the moment but will leave you with a bitter feeling having to spend copious amounts of time cleaning your teeth in return. A salty snacker you say? If sugar isn’t your vice unfortunately you might also have some substitutions to make as well. Nuts, popcorn, and crunchy snacks might enhance your Netlfix experience, but can result in a broken bracket or wire on a Friday night.

Seconds Please!

You might be thinking, what snacks are even left? Trust us, you can have your cake and eat it too. No really, cake is appliance safe. So if you have a sweet tooth that needs to be satisfied opt for softer alternatives. We also recommend mousse, milkshakes, smoothies, and ice cream, but all followed by brushing and rinsing to minimize the amount of sugar deposited on your appliance and teeth. If salt is the only thing that will do, try hulless popcorn, its true, it does exist and it is Netflix compatible! Flavored rice chips are also softer and come in identical flavors to your favourite chips; but what about those sensitive times after an orthodontic appointment where only soft food will do? You don’t have to commit to a Jell-O diet for a week, we’ve done our homework on some of the best ortho sensitive foods you can rely on.
Breakfast Options
Oatmeal with seedless, soft fruit (mandarin slices, blueberries, bananas)
Yogurt and seedless, soft fruit (mandarin slices, blueberries, bananas)
Smoothies, again with seedless fruit (mangos, bananas, pineapple)

Lunch Options
Your favourite soup, chilli, gazpacho or stew
Cucumber slices in lieu of crackers topped with soft cheeses, guacamole, or hummus
Buddha Bowls: steamed rice, steam vegetables, and an egg

Dinner Options
Macaroni and Cheese among other pasta options
Meatloaf and Mashed potatoes loaded with cheese and herbs
Salmon paired with steamed seasonal vegetables

Dessert Options
Baked apples with maple syrup and ice cream
Chocolate mousse with whipped cream
Soft Cakes, moistened with milk if necessary

At True Dental we feel like orthodontic treatment should enhance your oral health, not put dining on hold. We believe in providing our patients unmatched education on their treatment and appliance to make sure you can make comfortable and informed decisions at the dinner table. So if you thought your inner foodie had to take a leave of absence during your orthodontic treatment, think again! Call our office to schedule your complimentary orthodontic consultation or routine oral hygiene exam at 778 755 2577