Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Back-to-School in Braces

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

If you follow this guide and provide healthier and more conducive consumption options for your child's oral health, this will decrease the amount of plaque, popped brackets and overall issues during and after braces. It may even decrease the amount of time they have to wear their braces. Until that time comes, help your child sport a straight, healthy smile.


No comments:

Post a Comment