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Food Tips
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
Braces are delicate, and any foods that are sticky, chewy or hard can easily cause them to break, including:
- ice
- nuts
- popcorn
- hard candy
- gum
- chewy candy like caramel or gummi bears
- whole hard fruit like apples and pears and hard, raw veggies like carrots
- corn on the cob
- hard pretzels
- peanut brittle
- pizza crust
- hard rolls or bagels
- ribs
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
Problems Chewing
Chewing problems may be caused by tooth loss, gum disease, cavities and ill-fitting dentures, so your first step should be a visit to your dentist to help determine the cause of your problem. Meanwhile, eating soft foods (see tips for braces) can you help maintain your nutrients until you can see your dentist.
Problems Swallowing
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.
Dry Mouth
Dry mouth is not a normal part of aging. If you have dry mouth, talk to your dentist or doctor. Dry mouth can be a sign of certain diseases or can be caused by certain medications or the result of medical treatments. If you have dry mouth:
- don’t use tobacco or drink alcohol
- drink water regularly—with and between meals
- avoid drinks that contain caffeine such as colas, coffee and tea since it can dry out your mouth
- chew sugarless gum or suck on sugarless candy to stimulate saliva flow
- avoid spicy or salty foods if they cause pain in your mouth
Canker Sores
There is no cure for canker sores but you may be able to reduce how often you get them by avoiding foods that irritate your mouth. Spicy foods, acidic foods like pickles and sauerkraut, and citrus fruits can cause irritation. If you have canker sores, help ease discomfort by eating bland foods until your sores heal, such as:
- low-fat milk and other dairy foods
- cooked, canned and frozen vegetables
- mashed potatoes (fortify by mixing in powdered milk to boost nutrition)
- cooked or canned fruit, including applesauce
- hot cereals like oatmeal and cream of wheat (make with milk instead of water to boost nutrition)
- soft cooked and shredded chicken, beef and pork
- creamy-style peanut butter
- pudding and custard
- scrambled or fried eggs
- tofu
- soup
Oral Surgery and Implants
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 whenver 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
- couscous, quinoa, bulgur, soft-cooked rice
- pasta and noodles
- polenta
- baked apples
- peanut butter
- chicken or tuna salad
- refried or mashed canned beans
- avocado
- applesauce
- macaroni and cheese
- pancakes
- soft bread
- saltines and matzoh
- mashed bananas
- cooked veggies, like carrots, squash, green beans, spinach and other greens
- spinach soufflé
- hummus
- canned or cooked fruit
Most people know that painful burning sensation radiating from inside the chest – heartburn. Persistent symptoms, more than twice weekly, may be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. But not everyone with GERD has the symptoms of heartburn. In fact, you may have GERD and not even know it.
How can your dentist tell?
GERD, commonly called acid reflux, is caused when the esophageal sphincter, which separates the stomach from the esophagus, allows acid to seep out of the stomach. Many times this acid causes heartburn, but not always. In the absence of heartburn symptoms, the first indication that a person may have GERD is the erosion of the enamel on the molars or on the backside of teeth.
"Stomach acid can eat away at the enamel on your teeth," says Dr. Ken Sutherland, DDS, a Delta Dental senior dentist consultant. "Your dentist may be the first to notice symptoms of the disease when he or she detects enamel loss." If detected, your dentist may refer you to a specialist, who may prescribe treatment or recommend lifestyle changes specifically for the treatment of GERD, such as avoiding acidic foods.
What can you do?
Loss of enamel is permanent, and if left unchecked, may lead to the rapid decay of affected teeth. In addition to loss of enamel, GERD can do other long-term damage to your body, such as irritation and inflammation of your esophagus, which may even lead to esophageal cancer.
That's why getting a regular oral exam from a dentist is so important—your dentist may find early symptoms of a potentially serious problem before it progresses. In fact, more than 90 percent of systemic diseases have oral manifestations that may be detected during an oral exam by a dentist.
'Tis the season for giving, but remember to give yourself the most important gift of all this holiday season: a healthy smile! Maintaining good oral hygiene during the holiday season is more important than ever, advises the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD).
"Holiday get-togethers tend to lead people to consume sugary treats more than usual," says AGD spokesperson George Shepley, DDS, MAGD. "Additionally, with their busy schedules and increased stress levels, I've noticed that my patients' oral hygiene suffers. They forget the most basic of oral hygiene tasks that can counteract the effects of sugary snacks and drinks."
If all you want this holiday season is to keep your two front teeth, or all of your teeth for that matter, then check out Dr. Shepley's tips on how to save your smile.
Sugary Treats
Bacteria in the mouth thrive on the sugars found in candy canes, chocolate, and gingerbread cookies, increasing the likelihood of developing cavities. If you are not able to brush and floss after munching on sweet treats, drink water or chew a piece of sugarless gum. This will boost saliva flow in the mouth and help wash away bacteria.
Stress
Holiday anxiety can cause people to grind or clench their teeth, causing jaw pain, headaches, and chipping. "Finding ways to alleviate your anxiety can help, but it's also important to see your dentist, who can recommend solutions like a custom night guard," advises Dr. Shepley. "Wearing one at night will prevent you from taking out the holiday stress on your teeth while you sleep."
Dr. Shepley encourages his patients to remember that the gift of oral health is one that keeps on giving all year long!
"A healthy smile should always be at the top of your wish list," says Dr. Shepley. "Brush and floss your teeth twice daily and schedule an appointment to see your general dentist at least twice a year."
Reviewed: January 2012
“Gratitude can transform common days into Thanksgiving, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” — William Arthur Ward
“The roots of all goodness lie in the soil of appreciation for goodness.” — Dalai Lama
“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” — Oprah Winfrey
“When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.” — Willie Nelson
“Appreciation can change a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary.” — Margaret Cousins
“If a fellow isn’t thankful for what he’s got, he isn’t likely to be thankful for what he’s going to get.” — Frank W. Clark
Make it a habit to tell people thank you. To express your appreciation, sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return. Truly appreciate those around you, and you’ll soon find many others around you. Truly appreciate life, and you’ll find that you have more of it.” — Ralph Marston
“If you are really thankful, what do you do? You share.” — W. Clement Stone
. “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” — Albert Einstein
The thankful receiver bears a plentiful harvest.” — William Blake
Look at everything as though you were seeing it for the first or the last time, then your time on earth will be filled with glory.” — Betty Smith
“When you give and carry out acts of kindness, it’s as though something inside your body responds and says, ‘Yes, this is how I ought to feel.’” — Rabbi Harold Kushner
Time flies…we are almost through 2014. The end of the year will be upon us before we know it; and with the end of the year comes the end of your yearly dental insurance benefits.
Did you know that each year insurance companies make millions of dollars off patients who forgo necessary and preventive dental care? Many individuals who are paying for dental insurance do not realize that their plans provide coverage up to a certain dollar amount annually. Consequently, some patients are not scheduling the dental treatment they need, deserve, and have insurance to cover. Thus, the insurance revenues allocated to pay dental claims on many patients are never used, and, unfortunately, those dollars cannot be carried over year-to-year. The bottom line: What the patient does not use they lose. Clearly, it pays in many ways to schedule the preventive care or other dental treatment that you need.
We want to make sure that you take full advantage of any remaining benefits your family might have. Many times you may be able to save money by completing your treatment before year's end and avoid having to pay a new deductible next year.
We are here to help you secure the insurance coverage available to you on every dental procedure you schedule. Give us a call today, and together let's make sure you are in excellent dental health. We look forward to seeing you again and sharing some of the many innovative means we now have available to provide you with superior dental health care.
If you have any questions about how much actual coverage remains on your insurance benefits, please call our office so that we can check on that for you. At that time, we can schedule you at the earliest available appointment to ensure you take full advantage of all the insurance benefits you pay for.
Please call or email us to make an appointment before the end of the year. We are scheduling November and December appointments at this time.
Please don’t wait until the last minute! Our schedule usually fills very quickly in the last quarter of the year.
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