What Foods Can I Eat With Braces or Invisalign?
February 2nd, 2023
What Foods Can I Eat with Braces?
If you’re thinking about getting braces or have already decided to improve your smile, you likely have concerns about what foods you can and can’t eat.
There are many braces friendly foods that you can still eat and enjoy throughout your orthodontic treatment. Like any other adjustment, the first few days are the toughest. Getting braces means your mouth will likely be sensitive in the days following your initial appointment, which is why soft foods are best for you in the beginning. When in doubt, anything that’s easy to chew is a great choice – hello, mac n’ cheese!
Some ideal foods to eat right after getting braces (and for the rest of your treatment) include:
- Oatmeal
- Scrambled eggs
- Soups
- Pasta
- Seafood
- Soft vegetables
- Mashed potatoes
- Soft cheeses
- Bananas
- Yogurt
There are several “safe” foods that are fine to enjoy during treatment but may cause sensitivity in the first few days. Some foods to avoid when experiencing tooth sensitivity include:
- Ice cream
- Spicy foods
- Citrus fruits
- Chewy bread or rolls
- Chewy cuts of meat
Thankfully, you’ll be able to enjoy these foods again as soon as your teeth adjust to having braces.
Foods to Eliminate with braces
Let’s get the not-so-fun part out of the way! There are certain foods that you’ll have to avoid during treatment – namely anything that’s hard or sticky. These foods can damage your wires or bands or even cause a bracket to separate from a tooth.
Some foods to altogether avoid with braces include:
- Hard candy
- Sticky candy such as jellybeans, licorice, caramel, or taffy
- Popcorn
- Nuts
- Hard pretzels or chips
- Crunchy vegetables or fruits
- Pizza crust
- Bagels or hard rolls
- Ice
Best foods for your smile
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) encourages you to enjoy a variety of healthy and easy-to-chew foods during orthodontic treatment.
In addition to the foods that you can eat right after you get braces, a complete list of some excellent foods for braces includes:
Dairy:
- Yogurt
- Milk
- Cottage Cheese
Bread and Grains:
- Oatmeal
- Pancakes and waffles
- Muffins (without nuts)
- Pasta
- Cooked rice
Meats and Proteins:
- Shredded Chicken
- Meatloaf
- Meatballs
- Lunchmeat
- Fish
- Eggs
Fruits & Vegetables:
- Bananas
- Applesauce
- Watermelon
- Grapes
- Mashed potatoes
- Cooked beans
- Steamed vegetables
Sweets:
- Pudding
- Soft cookies
- Soft chocolates (no nuts or caramel)
- Jell-O
- Ice cream
- Milkshakes
- Cake/cupcakes (soft bread, no nuts)
And that’s just for starters! We encourage you to look at this experience as an ideal time to branch out and try different foods. Who knows, you might find some new recipes that stay on your menu long after your braces come off.
Can We Schedule Your Appointment Today?
We offer complimentary consultations at our Pleasant Hill, CA orthodontic office, serving Martinez, Concord, Walnut Creek and Lafayette. Please call to learn more and schedule your consultation, today.
Dr. Martin and everyone at Jennifer L. Martin, DDS, look forward to welcoming you to our practice. We would love to develop a long-term relationship with you, while making the beautiful smile of your dreams a reality!
Jennifer L. Martin, D.D.S.
401 Gregory Lane, Suite 126
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Phone: (925) 676-8485
Email: martinorthodontics@att.net
#MartinFamilySmiles #Invisalign #Braces #Orthodontist #EastBay #PleasantHill #Best #Dentist #2023 #Braces #ClearAligners #AAO #Questions #Foods #Niners #Giants
Use HSA/FSA Funds Now to Save All Year on Orthodontics
January 25th, 2023
Start Early in the Year to Save Money
[caption id="attachment_1181" align="alignright" width="300"]
Your FSA, HSA or Insurance Can Help Pay for Invisalign Treatment[/caption]
HSAs, Health Savings Accounts, and FSAs, Flexible Spending Accounts, are savings accounts that let you set aside money on a pre-tax basis to pay for qualified medical expenses, including orthodontic treatment. Money set aside throughout the year is a salary you do not have to pay taxes on. By using untaxed dollars in an HSA or FSA to help pay for your orthodontic treatment, you save money!
Watch & learn more...
Most financial institutions agree that the flexibility of these types of accounts can work great if you have predictable medical expenses each year. Plan participants should contact your HSA or FSA provider for specific details on their HAS/FSA plan.
The team at Martin Family Orthodontcs can help you use your HSA or FSA to pay for your orthodontic care. AAO Orthodontists have an additional 2-3 years of training specifically in moving teeth and providing a beautiful and healthy smile for their patients.
Health Benefits of Orthodontics
The primary purpose of orthodontic treatment is to create a healthy bite—straight teeth that properly meet opposing teeth in the opposite jaw. A good bite makes it easier for you to bite, chew and speak.
If your teeth are crowded, protrusive, spaced too far apart, meet in an abnormal way, or do not meet at all, correction may be recommended. Braces and aligners are the “appliances” orthodontists most commonly use to guide your teeth into their proper positions. Retainers preserve and stabilize the results of your orthodontic treatment.
From reducing your risk of gum disease to improving bite functions and overall dental health, there are many clear benefits when you receive orthodontic care.
Martin Family Orthodontics | Pleasant Hill CA | Jennifer Martin, DDS
We offer complimentary consultations at our Pleasant Hill, CA orthodontic office, serving Martinez, Concord, Walnut Creek and Lafayette. Please call to learn more and schedule your consultation, today.
Dr. Martin and everyone at Jennifer L. Martin, DDS, look forward to welcoming you to our practice. We would love to develop a long-term relationship with you, while making the beautiful smile of your dreams a reality!
Jennifer L. Martin, D.D.S.
401 Gregory Lane, Suite 126
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Phone: (925) 676-8485
Email: martinorthodontics@att.net
#MartinFamilySmiles #Invisalign #Braces #Orthodontist #EastBay #PleasantHill #Best #Dentist #2022 #Braces #ClearAligners #FSA #HSA #FlexSpendingAccount #HealthSavingsAccount #Best
Your Health Savings Accounts Could Help Pay for Invisalign Treatment
December 15th, 2022
Your HSA / FSA Could Help Pay for Invisalign Treatment
HSAs, Health Savings Accounts, and FSAs, Flexible Spending Accounts, are savings accounts that let you set aside money on a pre-tax basis to pay for qualified medical expenses, including orthodontic treatment. Money set aside throughout the year is a salary you do not have to pay taxes on. By using untaxed dollars in an HSA or FSA to help pay for your orthodontic treatment, you save money!
Most financial institutions agree that the flexibility of these types of accounts can work great if you have predictable medical expenses each year. Plan participants should contact your HSA or FSA provider for specific details on their HAS/FSA plan.
The team at Martin Family Orthodontcs can help you use your HSA or FSA to pay for your orthodontic care. AAO Orthodontists have an additional 2-3 years of training specifically in moving teeth and providing a beautiful and healthy smile for their patients.
Health Benefits of Orthodontics
The primary purpose of orthodontic treatment is to create a healthy bite—straight teeth that properly meet opposing teeth in the opposite jaw. A good bite makes it easier for you to bite, chew and speak.
If your teeth are crowded, protrusive, spaced too far apart, meet in an abnormal way, or do not meet at all, correction may be recommended. Braces and aligners are the “appliances” orthodontists most commonly use to guide your teeth into their proper positions. Retainers preserve and stabilize the results of your orthodontic treatment.
From reducing your risk of gum disease to improving bite functions and overall dental health, there are many clear benefits when you choose to undergo Invisalign treatment.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
We offer complimentary consultations at our Pleasant Hill, CA orthodontic office, serving Martinez, Concord, Walnut Creek and Lafayette. Please call to learn more and schedule your consultation, today.
Dr. Martin and everyone at Jennifer L. Martin, DDS, look forward to welcoming you to our practice. We would love to develop a long-term relationship with you, while making the beautiful smile of your dreams a reality!
Jennifer L. Martin, D.D.S.
401 Gregory Lane, Suite 126
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Phone: (925) 676-8485
Email: martinorthodontics@att.net
The cost of Invisalign® clear aligners are often comparable to braces and many payment options—like coverage from your insurance company—may be available.
About Invisalign: Proven effective in shaping simple to complex little smiles, tween smiles, and teen smiles. Invisalign clear aligners are more affordable than you think and use the most advanced SmartTrack technology to transform smiles. FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/invisalign
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/Invisalign
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/Invisalign/
#MartinFamilySmiles #Invisalign #Braces #Orthodontist #EastBay #PleasantHill #Best #Dentist #2022 #Braces #ClearAligners #FSA #HSA #FlexSpendingAccount #HealthSavingsAccount #Best
Question: "Am I Too Old for Invisalign Treatment?"
December 13th, 2022
"Am I Too Old for Invisalign Treatment?"
In short, no, you are never too old for orthodontic treatment as long as you have healthy teeth and gums. Orthodontists are experts in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics – properly aligned teeth and jaws – and possess the skills and experience to give you your best smile. According to a recent study conducted by the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), adult (18 years+) patients now outweigh teens/kids in treatment.
As a part of looking healthy and with the understanding that on-camera meetings are here to stay, you may be curious about straightening your teeth.
A common misperception is that you may be too old for orthodontic treatment or your situation is too difficult to consider treatment but this is not the case. The deciding factor on whether a patient is a good candidate for treatment is the health of their teeth and gums not their age.
For some adults to reach optimal dental health, your dentist and orthodontist will work in partnership and may need to call in other dental specialists such as oral surgeons, periodontists, and endodontists.
Pleasant Hill’s Martin Family Orthodontics has been a top choice for East Bay & Pleasant Hill families for generations. In the past, orthodontic treatment was associated with children and teens, but today many adults seek orthodontic treatment to correct long-standing problems, or problems that stem from maturational changes. Orthodontists can help people of any age achieve a healthy and beautiful smile.
Invisalign treatment with invisible and removal trays gradually reposition misaligned teeth without the inconvenience and discomfort of traditional wire braces. As you progress through the Invisalign trays and improve your bite alignment, other significant health advantages are taking affect.
Dr Jennifer Martin can map out your new smile using 3D images taken by the iTero Element scanner. from there, you’ll get a custom treatment plan that’s right for you. The entire team at Martin Family Orthodontics will be with you every step of the way towards a healthy & bright smile!
Can We Schedule Your Appointment Today?
We offer complimentary consultations at our Pleasant Hill, CA orthodontic office, serving Martinez, Concord, Walnut Creek and Lafayette. Please call to learn more and schedule your consultation, today.
Dr. Martin and everyone at Jennifer L. Martin, DDS, look forward to welcoming you to our practice. We would love to develop a long-term relationship with you, while making the beautiful smile of your dreams a reality!
Jennifer L. Martin, D.D.S.
401 Gregory Lane, Suite 126
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Phone: (925) 676-8485
Email: martinorthodontics@att.net
#MartinFamilySmiles #Invisalign #Braces #Orthodontist #EastBay #PleasantHill #Best #Dentist #2022 #Braces #ClearAligners #AAO #Questions #WorldCup2022 #Niners