Orthodontists (and parents) know that adolescents perceive the long-term as the end of the week, so having braces for two years seems, to children, like forever. And being told what not to eat, especially if it's their favorite foods, can feel like a punishment. Your orthodontist doesn't want to act as a parent to his patient, he wants to work as a team with his patients and their parents so that when the braces do finally come off, there are fewer problems and prettier smiles. What can parents do to prepare their child(ren) in braces as they head back to school?
When
you’re preparing your child’s lunch or after-school snack, here is a list of
foods they should be eating:
·
Dairy: Soft cheese,
pudding, milk-based drinks, soft tortillas,
pancakes, muffins without nuts
·
Grains: Pasta, soft-cooked rice
·
Meats/poultry:
Soft-cooked chicken, meatballs, lunch meats, tuna, salmon, crab cakes
·
Vegetables:
Mashed potatoes, steamed spinach, beans
·
Fruits: Applesauce, bananas, fruit
juice
·
Chocolate: If you must have candy, go for plain chocolate bars
·
Low sugar, non-carbonated drinks
Food and habits to avoid:
·
Absolutely no gum
·
Chewy foods: Bagels, hard rolls, licorice
·
Crunchy foods: Popcorn, ice, chips, nuts, candy
·
Foods you have to bite into: Corn on the cob,
apples, carrots
·
Avoid nail-biting and pen- or pencil-chewing
habits.
·
Eat much less candy, cookies, cake, pie, ice
cream and foods with sugar
Things to remember before going to school:
·
Emergency toothbrush and toothpaste
·
Extra wax for discomfort
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