Brace Yourself: Braces-Friendly Recipe Ideas

It happened, your child got braces, and now their life is ruined -- their usual words, not ours, of course. 

When your child gets braces, they may feel as if their food choices are limited. And while yes, some snacks should be avoided you can rest assured that there are still plenty of braces-friendly options:

Breakfast Pancakes

A huge breakfast favorite and luckily kids with braces can still eat them! Change up the recipe for a more healthy alternative. TIP: Replace syrup with applesauce. Syrup is high in sodium, sugar, and carbohydrates -- yuck!

Smoothies

A great breakfast for brace-filled mouths on-the-go! Check out these delicious smoothie recipes and keep these tips in mind to keep your smoothie healthy.

Cold Pasta Salad

This can be prepared in a variety of ways with many different ingredients. Your child can enjoy this dish for lunch and/or dinner! Don’t forget: stay clear of hard vegetables that may hurt your child’s mouth. 

Acai Bowls

Acai bowls look good and taste even better! These delicious small berries are packed with antioxidants, amino acids, and essential fatty acids you didn’t know your child needed in their life! Be sure to try one of these recipes.

Lasagna

A delicious dinner dish for kids and they will love to make it with you too! Keep this dish on the light side with whole wheat noodles and lean ground beef.

Frozen Banana “Ice Cream”
This is a healthy alternative to actual ice cream -- dairy, fat, and sugar-free! 

Foods to AVOID:

• Hard nuts, candies, fruits (apples and pears)
• Hard vegetables (carrots and corn on the cob)
• Chips
• Pretzels
• Taco shells
• Pizza crust
• Sticky stuff like taffy, gum, or caramels
• Foods that are high in acidity that could cause discoloration (lemons, limes, or sodas)

For more braces-friendly recipes and orthodontic tips, check out our Pinterest page! 

What Foods to Avoid When Wearing Braces

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

When kids or teens first get traditional braces, they may not realize how quickly their diet has to change. As strong and sturdy as these orthodontic appliances are, they still need to be treated with care. That means eating foods that are brace safe, and steering clear of ones that can cause trouble!

During orthodontic treatment, help your child avoid:

• Sticky Foods - Like gum, chewy candies, etc as they can easily get stuck in brackets and wires - not only causing a mess but tooth decay if not properly removed!
• Hard Foods - Such as nuts, hard rolls, hard candies, etc as they can break or harm the wires and brackets.
• Food on Bones - For instance ribs or chicken wings because these too can damage or knock off wires and brackets.

But don’t get discouraged! There are plenty of foods out there your child CAN eat!

• Fruits and Vegetables - Mashed potatoes, spinach, bananas, etc are all soft and easy to chew. For the harder fruits and veggies (like carrots or apples) just be sure to cut them into smaller pieces instead of biting directly into them.
• Treats - Ice cream, shakes, and smoothies are also great options! The coldness actually helps soothe the soreness caused by the braces as well as reduce any swelling of soft tissue!
• Meats and Poultry - Items like soft-cooked chicken and deli meat are soft enough to not cause problems when your child bites into them.
• Gains - Noodles, pasta, soft-cooked rice, etc are all gentle on the mouth which is key for sensitive teeth.

If you're seeking orthodontic treatment for your child, consult with one of our orthodontists here at Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental & Orthodontics. Let us help you identify and reduce problems early on to make sure your child’s orthodontic experience is easier in the long run. Call (516) 798-1111 or visit our website to schedule an appointment.