When you first get your braces on, you are probably going to experience some discomfort and soreness. It may take some time to get adjusted to your new braces, but even then, you might not be ready to jump back into your normal eating routine. Anything too hard or too crispy might be difficult for you to delve into for a few days. Here are ten of the best foods for new braces.
Looking for something to have for breakfast, but you aren’t quite ready for cereal or a breakfast burrito? Yogurt is a great alternative. It requires no chewing, which means that if your jaw and teeth are sore, you won’t even have to use them to eat this food. And because there are literally hundreds of different types of yogurt, you are sure to be able to find one that you enjoy. Just be sure to brush your teeth after eating yogurt, as it usually has a high sugar content and you want to protect the health of your teeth.
Especially if you can convince whoever is preparing it for you to boil the noodles for an extra minute so they are extremely soft, mac and cheese is a great choice for individuals wearing new braces. It requires some chewing, but the pasta will be soft enough that you will not really have to dig your teeth into it in order to chew it up enough to swallow. Again, there are lots of different types of mac and cheese, so you are sure to find one that you enjoy.
While this might have originally been reserved just for cold winter days or when you are sick, soup is the perfect food for new braces. The protein and vitamins and minerals in chicken noodle soup will help keep your health and increase the rate at which your mouth heals after having braces put on, and you do not have to worry about doing very much chewing in order to eat it. You can even soak bread or crackers in the broth long enough that they are extremely easy to eat, too.
The cold of ice cream makes it an ideal choice for new braces, as it will help to numb the pain and relieve some of the inflammation that comes along with wearing braces. Plus, as a bonus, getting to eat ice cream after getting your braces on is sort of like a reward. You did something that might be a little difficult and a little scary, but you also get to have ice cream! Like with the yogurt, it is important to remember to brush your teeth after eating ice cream, to prevent the sugar in the ice cream from hurting your teeth.
If you are looking for something a little bit more substantial, but still soft enough to eat when your teeth and jaw are sore, mashed potatoes are the perfect food. Not only are they super simple to make, they can be made in several different ways, so you’ll never get bored. Add in a little cheese or some sour cream for extra flavor! When I first had my braces on, I probably ate mashed potatoes for three days straight until I moved on to eating more substantial foods.
Pancakes hit both of the criteria for new braces food: they are delicious and they are easy to eat. They are soft enough that you can easily eat them without having to worry even a little about how exacerbating the soreness in your jaw and teeth. For breakfast or dinner, pancakes are a great meal.
Bananas are another favorite best foods for new braces. Because they are soft and easy to eat, you can pack one to go with your lunch, have one for breakfast, or eat them along with your dinners. If you are particularly sore, you might wait until they are fully ripe and very soft before eating one.
If you need some meat in your diet, but are not quite ready for beef, pork, or chicken, which can be a little difficult to chew if putting pressure on your teeth causes you any pain, fish is a great alternative. Whether baked, boiled, or fried, there are lots of different ways to prepare fish, and because it is naturally soft and flaky, you will have no trouble eating it, even if your jaw is still sore.
Raw vegetables might be too hard to get your teeth into when you are wearing new braces, but there are lots of ways you can cook vegetables that will make them soft enough to eat. Boiling is a good option, as is baking. Your goal will be to get them as soft as possible. Veggies like carrots, broccoli, and zucchini will usually be too crisp when they are raw, but when boiled or baked in the oven, it will be just soft enough that you can still enjoy them. Squash is another good option, as are steamed greens.
More substantial as a breakfast than yogurt, but still soft enough to be comfortable to eat, scrambled eggs are one of the best foods for new braces. There are also ample possibilities for additions to your scrambled eggs. You could add cheese, onions, and peppers, for a quick, easy-to-eat breakfast!
We love our patients and love to help them form healthy dental life that will last them a lifetime. For more information call us today to answer all of your questions so get an appointment today.
Going to a strange new place and having to sit still in a chair while a person you don’t know feels around in your mouth with metallic objects can be unsettling for adults and children alike, but adults can contain their unease much easier than kids. Some act out in the dental office lobby, some while in the chair, and some not until after the visit is completely done. If your child shows signs of being upset at the thought of going to the dentist, try the following tips to put their minds at ease.
Children — even adults! — who don’t understand the importance of properly maintaining anything in their lives will end up wondering why they’re experiencing so many (and such expensive) issues, whether it’s with their car, their home, or their health. Educating your child on the importance of brushing and flossing their teeth after every meal as well as using mouthwash is a must to maintain their understanding of good oral care.
Once this is established, discuss what a dental office is for and why everyone needs to go there two times a year for a checkup. You do not have to go into great detail — in fact, the less you explain, the better. If you start talking about all the tools used, or what a cavity is, a child could become afraid. Instead, just focus on having as many positive answers as possible. Avoid saying things like “it’s not going to hurt,” or “everything’s going to be okay.” He or she might not like that everything might not be fine, but it will calm your child when you answer with something like “if the dentist finds any sugar bugs (cavities), they can get them out so they stop hiding in your teeth all day! We want to make sure we don’t have any sugar bugs, don’t we?” Also try not to say words like “shot,” “drill” or “pain,” and there are many phrases parents use that they may think are helpful but are harmful.
Make sure that once your child knows that going to the dentist means something like “wiping off the sugar bugs” or “making sure sugar bugs aren’t hiding in our teeth,” be a responsible parent and schedule and keep your child’s checkups every six months.
Most children in North America are brought to the dentist around age 2 or 3. It may seem too soon, but the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends all children should go to their first dental visit by the time their first tooth erupts or by their first birthday. The sooner your child experiences a dental office and meets your family dentist, the more comfortable they will be at future visits. Many children who are initially brought in at a later age are more uncooperative at their visits.
A child’s first dental visit doesn’t take long. At the appointment, your child will get to meet the hygienist and dentist. They will not necessarily perform a dental cleaning, but instead, will just try counting the child’s teeth out loud and let them go for a ride in the dental chair. It’s a great icebreaker for most children, but some can be uncooperative, resulting in trying the appointment again in a few months. The more your child comes in for appointments, the more comfortable they are in the dental office. It’s not only a great way to make them happier at future visits but starting this young helps prevent buildup and decay even sooner.
Many dentists in your area including Growing smiles are friendly dental offices. However, some children need an atmosphere that is directly focused on children. That is where a pediatric dentist comes in. These dental professionals take an extra two years of specialty courses to learn just how to care for infants and children, and typically open up pediatric clinics. Many of these offices have a wide variety of kid-friendly activities and decorations to help children feel more at ease during their appointments. Some popular looks for pediatric dental offices are cartoons, jungle, safari or zoo themes.
We suggest bringing your child to us around their first birthday. We focus on meeting the child, counting their teeth and letting them go for a ride in the dental chair. At later visits, we introduce some of the equipment in a fun way. The suction can be introduced. If your child is uncooperative after a few visits to our office, we may refer them to a pediatric dentist instead.
Many visits are ruined by parents promising a treat or a present each time they go to the dentist if they behave at their visit. “If you go to the dentist, we will get ice cream after.” “If you behave for the dentist, I will buy you a new toy.” This teaches them that no matter how they act, they will still get a treat afterward. Many offices have a treasure chest or toy box that the children get to pick from, but only if they’ve had a good visit. Even try avoiding saying “be brave,” or “don’t be afraid!” This is a subtle way of telling your child there IS something scary at the dental office.
Some parents even use the dentist as a punishment. “Stop throwing a fit! Do you want to go back to the dentist?” Saying something like this instantly brings a negative reaction from children every time they are brought in for an appointment. Their visits should be nothing but positive and exciting, and your job is to promote that positive for them to have the most enjoyable experience possible and avoid having dental phobia in the future.
Children love to play make-believe, and one fantastic way to get them ready for their trips to the dentist is to play “dentist” at home. You can start by having them play the dentist. Get their favorite stuffed animal or toy and have them pretend to greet them. Then your child can lie the toy or stuffed animal down on its back and ask them to open wide so they can count their teeth, or brush them with a dry brush.
After you try this method, move on by having them lie on a couch or bed and telling them you want to count their teeth. Have them open wide and take your time counting the teeth, so they get used to keeping their mouth open when asked. Explain you are looking for “sugar bugs” which are little bugs that live in your mouth if you do not brush your teeth well enough. This helps them understand the importance of brushing after every meal, ensuring the “sugar bugs” are all brushed away and their teeth are happy and strong.
Every parent wants their children to be happy and healthy, which is why regular medical and dental checkups are needed. Being nervous about how your child will react at the dental office while they are still young is normal. You can help calm your child’s nerves and ensure they have a fun visit while still understanding the importance of regular visits. We look forward to meeting your family! Schedule an appointment with us today.
We love our patients and love to help them form healthy dental life that will last them a lifetime. For more information call us today to answer all of your questions so get appointment.
Growing Smiles is Richardson’s premier pediatric & orthodontic practice. Established in 2013 with a sincere interest in serving as a dental resource to children and their families. We provide a unique atmosphere for children making them feel welcome and comfortable visiting the dentist.
Growing Smiles is a premier pediatric dentistry practice proudly serving the community of Richardson, Texas, and its surrounding areas. Dr. Khaled Jadid and Dr. Raghid Alolab is thrilled to welcome you as a patient to the practice where we have a chance to earn your trust and establish a lifelong relationship. It is our hope that you will be so pleased with our practice and services that you will refer all of your friends and family to see us as well!
We offer services that deal directly with your infant’s new teeth! This includes issues related to teething, infant tooth eruption, bottle decay and more. We will also help you learn ways to help manage the growth and health of your child’s new teeth, including dietary and hygiene techniques specially considered for your little one!
Preventive dental care is important throughout life, especially at a young age. By installing good oral hygiene habits at home and scheduling regular checkups with the dentist, your child can help keep their smile bright and healthy for many years to come.
At our office, we use the most advanced techniques and materials to ensure your child is getting the quality of care they deserve. We provide cleanings, sealants, fillings, crowns, and extractions. Our goal is to ensure all your child’s needs are addressed.
Sometimes a child may be too anxious or fearful for treatment to be completed and intervention may be needed to ensure safe and effective completion of the dental work. At Growing Smiles, we offer a range of sedation services such as conscious sedation, IV sedation and general anesthesia in a hospital setting. The goal for our doctors is to complete your child’s treatment in the least invasive and the safest way possible.
Dental care for patients with special needs requires specialized knowledge acquired by additional training, as well as increased awareness, adaptation, and accommodative measures beyond routine treatment. Growing Smiles, we have the experience necessary to provide suitable dental care while keeping in mind the unique nature of the children we see.
We are always here to assist when your child’s dental health is at risk. If you face a dental emergency, please give us a call immediately. We also provide after-hours emergency number to ensure you child will always be safe.
Growing Smiles is a premier pediatric dentistry practice proudly serving the community of Richardson, Texas, and its surrounding areas. Dr. Khaled Jadid and Dr. Raghid Alolab is thrilled to welcome you as a patient to the practice where we have a chance to earn your trust and establish a lifelong relationship. It is our hope that you will be so pleased with our practice and services that you will refer all of your friends and family to see us as well!
We offer services that deal directly with your infant’s new teeth! This includes issues related to teething, infant tooth eruption, bottle decay and more.
We offer services that deal directly with your infant’s new teeth! This includes issues related to teething, infant tooth eruption, bottle decay and more.
The entire staff at Growing Smiles is thrilled to have you as an addition to our family! We are so excited to introduce Dr. Khaled Jadid and Dr. Raghid Alolab and their fantastic team – read more below and get to know everyone at our office!
We love our patients and love to help them form healthy dental life that will last them a lifetime. For more information call us today to answer all of your questions so get an appointment today.
Previously orthodontic treatment was carried out on children in their teenage years. Today, however, many children start orthodontic treatment at a much younger age. There are also large numbers of adults receiving orthodontic treatment.
Traditional “train-track” braces are fitted to a child’s adult teeth and are used to move, realign and/or rotate a tooth or teeth into the correct position. This is why you’ll usually see children 10 years and older wearing these types of braces.
However, crowded/crooked/skew adult teeth usually manifest because of a space shortage and/or a problem with jaw growth and/or jaw relationships. This can usually be identified in young children, even before many of their adult teeth start coming through.
The big shift in orthodontics has been to check children at a much younger age, identify these issues earlier and intervene before the arrival of the adult teeth.
In many cases, early intervention can provide future adult teeth with all the space they need and the child may not have to wear conventional braces at all.
Sometimes using adjustable, removable plates can be successful, especially in young children where they can help the jaw grow to the right size and shape, which creates the space required for the new adult teeth before they come through.
Other times plates may be used first, followed by braces.
In adults, there are many situations where more simple alignment issues can be corrected using a series of custom-made clear aligners (as can be seen in the image below).
The fundamental thing in orthodontics is that each case is unique. Each child’s case needs to be assessed properly and a tailor-made treatment plan created for the individual to ensure the best results.
One of the disadvantages of using removable plates for children is that they are removable.
Children often don’t wear their plates as directed, the plates get lost and/or broken and many months of treatment (and a lot of money) can be wasted when a child does not follow instructions.
We have two jaws, the upper jaw (maxilla), which is part of our skull and cannot move and the movable lower jaw (mandible), which is a long, curved bone with joints on each end.
The lower jaw moves when we speak, chew and swallow. The joints on each end pivot and slide in special sockets at the base of our skull, just in front of our ear openings.
In an ideal orthodontic situation, all our teeth should line up in each jaw – the teeth of the lower jaw should fit nicely inside those of the upper jaw when we bite together.
If we have what is called an overbite (Bugs Bunny), it could be because the upper jaw is too far forward and/or too big, or because the lower jaw is too far back and/or too small. Or both.
Similarly, an underbite (bulldog) occurs when the upper jaw is too far back and/or too small or the lower jaw is too far forward and/or too big, or both.
If the teeth are crowded in the lower jaw, it could either be because the lower jaw is too small for all those teeth or because the upper jaw is too small and the lower teeth cannot fit inside the upper jaw arch, as they are supposed to.
In many such cases, the teeth in the upper jaw are forced forward by the trapped lower jaw, which can cause the front teeth to protrude outwards.
In teenagers and adults, tooth clenching and/or grinding, migraine headaches, chronic earache, and chronic neck, back, and shoulder pain can also be associated with a lower jaw which is trapped inside the upper jaw.
Each child is unique. And so will their orthodontic development and possible treatment.
In many dentists’ and orthodontists’ opinion, the most important development in orthodontics has been the advent of early-intervention orthodontics, where jaw growth and facial development form the new basis of orthodontic planning, instead of trying to straighten crooked adult teeth with braces.
We love our patients and love to help them form healthy dental life that will last them a lifetime. For more information call us today to answer all of your questions so get an appointment.