Once your child gets braces, it can seem like every food is on the “do not eat” list. While it’s a good excuse to keep them from cavity-causing foods, like hard candy and chewy taffy, it can make packing their lunch a headache. To prevent your trips to the grocery store from becoming overwhelming, your orthodontist in Denison is sharing four ideas that are nutritious, delicious, and braces-friendly!
Dairy Products
Dairy-based snacks are high in calcium, which helps strengthen your child’s bones and protects the enamel on their teeth. Plus, their soft consistency prevents the wires and brackets of the braces from breaking or becoming loose. Therefore, opt for including some cheese or yogurt in their lunch for a delicious treat that keeps their teeth strong from the inside-out!
Cooked Vegetables
Your child’s diet plays a crucial role in their oral hygiene. That is why dentists recommend packing each of their meals with vitamin-rich foods, like vegetables. However, when they are raw and crunchy, they can cause complications with your child’s braces in Denison. To protect their teeth and ensure they get the vitamins they need, place cooked carrots, broccoli, green beans, or their vegetable of choice in their lunch box.
Sliced Fruit
Although leafy greens are jam-packed with nutrients, children often prefer fruit. If your child currently refuses to eat vegetables, but you want to ensure they get the vitamins they need, then consider including some sliced fruit in their lunch. While apples are not recommended by most orthodontists, sliced bananas, mangos, and melons are perfectly okay!
Soft Sweets
If your child has a sweet tooth, then that may be the first thing they look for when opening their lunch box. Fortunately, you can pack some treats that are both delicious and braces-friendly. Some popular options are applesauce, pudding, or soft peanut butter cookies.
Finding foods that are healthy, tasty, and easy to eat with braces can seem like an overwhelming task, but it doesn’t have to be. Use the above four ideas to pack your child’s lunch with foods that will keep their teeth strong and healthy from the inside-out without compromising on taste!
About the Author
For over two decades, Dr. Ryan Bygness has been helping families in the Denison areas achieve healthy, beautiful smiles. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and his orthodontic certificate from the American Orthodontic Society. Dr. Bygness is also a member of multiple reputable organizations, including the American Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry. If you would like to schedule an appointment with him, don’t hesitate to visit his website or give him a call at 712-263-3252.