Browse by City / State:

My BEST Dentists Journal

The Weekly Top Ten Stories · All Time Top Stories · Today's Journal · Headlines

What to eat when you're having dental issues

You know that what you eat directly impacts your health, and that includes the health of your teeth and gums. But it can work the other way around too. If you have an orthodontic appliance, such as braces, or have had certain dental problems or procedures, the health and comfort of your teeth and gums can directly impact what you eat. Here are some tips for what to eat and how to avoid these common dental issues.

Braces are delicate, and any food that you need to bite into to eat is prime for breaking braces. You can get around this by cutting the food, such as corn off the cob or rib meat off the bone, or slicing apples and chopping carrots into small, bite-size pieces.

Any food that you need to bite into to eat is prime for breaking braces. You can get around this by cutting the food, such as corn off the cob or rib meat off the bone, or slicing apples and chopping carrots into small, bite-size pieces. You may also experience problems eating after your braces are tightened–teeth may feel sore.

The first few days are the worst, so try eating softer foods like those listed below until the soreness passes: 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.

If you get mouth sores, try these tips to make eating easier and speed healing: Choose cool or room temperature foods, blend and moisten dry or solid foods, drink through a straw to bypass mouth sores, eat high protein, high calorie foods to speed up healing time. For example, add protein powder to milk shakes or powdered dry milk to fortify mashed potatoes and soups.

Your nutrition and dietary needs following oral surgery or getting implants depends on factors including your nutritional status prior to your procedure, the extent of your procedure, how much impact there is on oral function and how long your recovery is expected to last. A liquid or soft foods diet may be required for a few days or longer, until your mouth heals. Opt for nutrient-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy foods and lean meats, eggs and beans whenever possible since they provide vitamins, minerals and nutrients needed for healing, including zinc, protein, and vitamins A and C.

Try these foods: Scrambled eggs, oatmeal or cream of wheat (make with milk instead of water to boost nutrition), soup with soft vegetables or pureed or cream soups, soft cheeses, including cottage cheese, smoothies and milkshakes, pudding and custard, meatloaf, mashed potatoes (fortify by mixing in powdered milk to boost nutrition, sorbet and frozen yogurt, tortillas (soften by microwaving or steaming), yogurt, soft-cooked, shredded chicken and meat, protein shakes, tofu,ripe fruits, cut into pieces like peaches and nectarines, peanut butter, saltines and matzoh, mashed bananas, cooked veggies, like carrots, squash, green beans, spinach and other greens, spinach soufflé, hummus, canned or cooked fruit.

Swallowing problems can occasionally happen, but if it persists, talk to your doctor since it could be related to something serious. Causes of swallowing issues vary and treatment depends on what is causing the problem. If you are having trouble swallowing, to prevent choking and aspiration avoid these foods: Alcoholic beverages, extremely hot foods and beverages, caffeine, spicy foods, popcorn, bran cereal, nuts, cottage cheese (unless pureed), skins of fruits, celery, dry, crumbly, or sticky foods (such as bread, cake, peanut butter, banana).

Depending on level of swallowing difficulty, the following foods may be included in the diet. These foods are grouped into four different categories:

Thin liquids that dissolve quickly in the mouth such as frozen yogurt, ice cream, gelatin and broth.

Nectar-like liquids where liquid coats and drips off a spoon such as nectars, milkshakes, cream soup and vegetable juices.

Honey-like liquids that flow off a spoon in a ribbon like in yogurt, tomato sauce and honey.

Spoon-thick liquids that are thickened to pudding consistency such as pudding, custard or hot cereal.

(09/30/2020)
by ADA

More Information: https://www.mybestdentists.com/resources/AmericanDentalAssociation

My BEST Dentists Journal Headlines