September is finally here and the kids are back in school. Have you or your kids started any orthodontic work (braces)? Here are a few tips from the ADA (American Dental Association) on what foods to avoid, and what foods are ortho-friendly.
Foods to avoid:
- ice
- nuts
- popcorn
- hard candy
- gum
- chewy candy like caramel or gummi bears
- whole hard fruit like apples and pears and hard, raw veggies like carrots
- corn on the cob
- hard pretzels
- peanut brittle
- pizza crust
- hard rolls or bagels
- ribs
If you are really craving some of these foods, then it is suggested that you cut them into small bite-sized pieces so that they are easy to chew and do not require you biting into something big.
Foods that are safe:
- scrambled eggs
- oatmeal
- soup with soft vegetables or pureed or cream soups
- soft cheeses, including cottage cheese
- smoothies and milkshakes
- pudding and custard
- meatloaf
- mashed potatoes
- sorbet and frozen yogurt
- tortillas (soften by microwaving or steaming)
- yogurt
- soft-cooked, shredded chicken and meat
- protein shakes
- tofu
- ripe fruits, such as peaches and nectarines, cut into bite-size pieces
- couscous, quinoa, bulgur, soft-cooked rice
- pasta and noodles
- polenta
- baked apples
- peanut butter
- chicken or tuna salad
- refried beans
- avocado
- applesauce
- macaroni and cheese
- pancakes
- soft bread
- saltines and matzoh
- mashed bananas
- cooked veggies
- hummus
- canned or cooked fruit