12 Foods You Should Eat for Healthy Gums & Teeth While You Have Braces
Imagine Orthodontic Studio
March 1, 2024
While you’re on your journey to a perfect smile with braces, maintaining healthy gums and teeth is essential. What you eat can make a big difference. Here are twelve foods you should incorporate to keep your gums and teeth in top shape, even with braces.
Yogurt
Yogurt is a fantastic source of calcium and protein, essential for strong teeth. Its probiotics also help balance bacteria in your mouth, promoting healthy gums. Choose plain yogurt to avoid added sugars that can harm your teeth.
Soft Fruits
Bananas, Mangos, and Berries: These fruits are gentle on braces and rich in vitamins and antioxidants. Bananas provide potassium and vitamin C, which support gum health. Berries like strawberries contain malic acid, which naturally whitens enamel.
Cooked Vegetables
Carrots, Spinach, and Sweet Potatoes: Steamed or boiled vegetables are easier to chew with braces and still packed with vitamins and minerals. Spinach offers calcium and folic acid, both crucial for oral health. Sweet potatoes are high in vitamin A, essential for maintaining tooth enamel.
Eggs
Eggs are a versatile and nutrient-dense food, providing a good source of protein, vitamin D, and phosphorus. These nutrients are vital for healthy teeth and gums, and their soft texture makes them braces-friendly.
Cheese
Cheese is not only delicious but also excellent for your teeth. It increases saliva production, which helps wash away food particles and neutralize acids in the mouth. Plus, it’s rich in calcium and protein, strengthening your teeth.
Fish
Salmon, Mackerel, and Sardines: Fatty fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory properties beneficial for gum health. They also provide vitamin D, which aids in calcium absorption, promoting stronger teeth.
Smoothies
Smoothies are a perfect way to consume a variety of fruits and vegetables without putting pressure on your braces. Combine ingredients like spinach, kale, berries, and yogurt for a nutrient-packed drink that’s easy to consume and great for your oral health.
Nuts & Seeds (Ground or Butter)
Almond Butter and Ground Flaxseeds: Whole nuts might be too hard for braces, but nut butter and ground seeds are excellent alternatives. They provide essential fatty acids, calcium, and protein, which support healthy gums and teeth.
Poultry
Chicken and Turkey: Lean poultry is high in protein and phosphorus, which are crucial for the repair and maintenance of oral tissues. Soft, tender cuts are easier to chew and won’t damage your braces.
Soft Whole Grains
Oatmeal and Quinoa: Whole grains are packed with nutrients like magnesium and fiber. Oatmeal and quinoa are particularly good choices because they’re soft and easy to eat with braces, while still providing the necessary nutrients for healthy gums.
Beans
Black Beans, Lentils, and Chickpeas: These legumes are high in protein and fiber and contain important minerals like magnesium and phosphorus. They support oral health by strengthening teeth and gums and are easy to incorporate into meals.
Water
Staying hydrated is crucial for everyone, but it’s especially important when you have braces. Water helps wash away food particles, reduces acid levels in your mouth, and keeps your gums hydrated and healthy. Fluoridated water offers added protection against tooth decay.
At Imagine Orthodontic Studio, we believe that caring for your teeth and gums while wearing braces should be easy and enjoyable. By including these nutritious and braces-friendly foods in your diet, you can maintain excellent oral health and ensure your journey to a beautiful smile is as smooth as possible. Let us help you achieve the smile of your dreams while staying active and confident on the field. Schedule your free consultation through our website or give us a call at (833) IOS-APPT.
healthy foods to eat with braces, foods to eat for healthy gums, good foods to eat with braces, diet for healthy gums, food for healthy teeth and gums, food for healthy gums, foods for healthy teeth and gums, what foods you can eat with braces, food for strong teeth and gums, foods for healthy gums, healthy gums with braces, good food for teeth and gums, foods good for teeth and gums, foods for healthier gums, foods for strong gums, food for strong gums, can i eat eggs with braces, can you eat seeds with braces, easy foods to eat with braces, good foods for braces, good food to eat with braces, braces foods you can eat, foods to strengthen gums and teeth, healthy gums foods, healthy gums food, food for healthy gums and teeth, healthy food to eat with braces, healthy food for gums, what are foods you can eat with braces, what to eat for healthy gums, foods to eat when you have braces, foods for healthy gums and teeth, best food for gums and teeth, food for strong gums and teeth, best foods for healthy gums, foods that strengthen teeth and gums, what gum can you eat with braces, braces friendly foods, healthy teeth and gums foods, perfect healthy gums, what nuts can you eat with braces, best food for strong gums, what kind of gum can you eat with braces, best food for teeth and gum health, food to eat for healthy gums, meals with braces, best food for healthy gums, braces friendly gum, gums healthy food, foods good for gums, can i eat nuts with braces, foods for strong teeth and gums, food for healthy teeth gums, healthy gums braces, how to strengthen teeth and gums, can i eat seeds with braces, what foods are good for gums, what gum can you have with braces, what fruits can i eat with braces, how to have healthy gums with braces, best food for teeth gums, foods to strengthen gums, gums strengthening food, gum you can have with braces, vitamins for kids with braces, how to eat nuts with braces, foods easy to eat with braces, food to make gums stronger, foods that are easy to eat with braces, nuts with braces, healthy soft foods for braces, foods that make gums stronger, foods to strengthen teeth and gums, can i have nuts with braces, tampa alternatives to braces, best foods for gums, gum you can eat with braces, can you eat nuts with braces, foods to make gums strong, foods good for gums and teeth, foods good for your teeth and gums, what foods are good for healthy teeth and gums, foods good for healthy teeth and gums, food good for teeth and gums, foods good for the gums and teeth, food to strengthen gums, what food helps gums and teeth healthy, foods you can eat with braces, soft fruits for braces, good food for gums and teeth, foods good for braces, protein gums, diet for healthy gums and teeth, foods good for the teeth and gums, foods that are good for your teeth and gums, food good for gums, easy food to eat with braces, healthy food for teeth and gums, eating nuts with braces, what are good foods to eat with braces, what gum can i eat with braces, exquisite tooth avatar, what gum is good for braces, which fruit is good for teeth and gums
Enjoy Delicious and Nutritious Smoothies
Smoothies are a great option for those with braces, as they can be easily customized to include soft fruits, yogurt, and ground nuts or seeds. By blending these ingredients together, you can create a delicious and nutritious drink that is gentle on your teeth and gums. Plus, smoothies are a convenient way to pack in essential vitamins and minerals that support your oral health while you're on your braces journey.
Whether you enjoy a refreshing berry smoothie for breakfast or a creamy almond butter and banana smoothie as a snack, there are endless possibilities when it comes to creating braces-friendly smoothies. Experiment with different combinations of ingredients to keep your taste buds happy and your braces protected.
Stay Hydrated with Plenty of Water
Keeping your body hydrated is crucial for maintaining healthy gums and teeth, especially when you have braces. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day helps to wash away food particles that can get stuck in your braces, reducing the risk of plaque buildup and potential tooth decay. Additionally, staying hydrated ensures that your gums remain moist and healthy, reducing the likelihood of gum irritation or inflammation while you're wearing braces.
If you struggle to drink enough water each day, try carrying a reusable water bottle with you wherever you go. Adding a squeeze of lemon or a few slices of cucumber can add a burst of flavor to your water and make staying hydrated more enjoyable. By prioritizing your hydration, you'll support your overall oral health and keep your gums and teeth in tip-top shape during your braces treatment.
