Getting back to your normal routine becomes tricky during the first few weeks of wearing your braces. You experience a bit of pain, discomfort, and possibly soreness in some areas of your mouth and gums. But there’s no need to worry because over time, the pain and discomfort will subside.
Breakfast has long been deemed the most important meal of the day. What you eat can affect the amount of energy you have to start and get you through the day.
When you have braces, you need to be extra critical about what you put in your mouth, as some foods can potentially damage your dental appliances. Consuming the wrong foods can also lengthen the amount of time you need to wear your braces. This can make your experience more frustrating in the long run.
Fortunately, there are plenty of food choices available that won’t put your braces at risk of damage.
A dentist specializing in lingual braces in Dubai shares a list of breakfast and brunch food items that are safe to eat. Refer to this list regardless of whether it is your first week of wearing braces or after a session of tightening the wires.
1. Eggs
Eggs are a brace wearer’s best friend. Sunny-side-up, scrambled, poached, soft-boiled or hard-boiled — regardless of how they are cooked, eggs feature a soft or fluffy texture. As such, there is no need to exert a lot of pressure when you’re biting or chewing on these morning meal gems.
Not only are they dense and hearty, but eggs are also incredibly nutritious. A single egg contains folate, phosphorus, selenium, calcium, zinc, vitamins A, B2, B5, B6, B12, D, E, and K, among others. It’ll be even better if you can get omega-3 enriched ones as they are good for the heart.
Cook a few eggs if you’re running late and looking for food that’s easy to eat. Your teeth and body will thank you for it.
2. Oatmeal, oats, and porridge
Good for the heart and teeth, oatmeal or oats soaked overnight in milk is one option to consider if you’re looking for something soft, rich, and creamy. Top your serving with some cinnamon, vanilla, honey, or soft fruits for added flavor.
Got no time to eat at home? Prepare it the night before and bring it with you during your commute. Wherever you decide to eat them, you’re bound to get a hearty meal that’s full of flavor.
Oatmeal and cooked oats are a type of porridge, although not all porridges are made from oats. Depending on the region, porridge can refer to other grains softened in water or milk. For instance, Mexicans eat champurrado, a porridge that consists of corn mixed with milk, sugar, and chocolate.
On the other hand, rice porridges such as congee are common and a popular breakfast meal in parts of Asia. As a rice dish, spices, meat, eggs, and vegetables can be added as toppings. Much like oats, porridges are generally easy to make, and are heavy on the stomach but light on the teeth.
3. Pureed fruit
There are some fruits and vegetables that are not safe to eat raw. Apples and carrots, for instance, can knock your brackets off if you’re wearing the traditional types. But there is a way to get your fill without damaging your braces in the process.
Enter the puree. Using a blender to turn your favorite fruits and vegetables into a smoothie or shake is the recommended workaround. The possibilities are limitless.
You can make your own applesauce, spinach smoothie, strawberry jam, mango milkshake, or have banana puree for breakfast. By choosing the ingredients and making the food yourself, you know what you’re putting into your body. As you control the amount of sugar and other components that go into the mix, you can make batches for your baby or if you live with someone with other dental issues.
4. Yogurt
When you’re rushing to get to a meeting or class, it is easy to forget about breakfast. But with yogurt, forgetting to eat is no longer an excuse, even when you have braces. It is readily available in small packs in supermarkets and even convenience stores, making it easy to grab any time of the day.
Given the soft consistency of yogurt, no chewing is required. With so many flavors available on the market, you can try out one every week.
Some yogurt brands and flavors are rich in sugar. Remember to brush your teeth and braces afterward to avoid damage.
5. Macaroni and cheese
Great for brunches and lunches, mac and cheese is the perfect comfort food for individuals wearing braces. Compared to the other foods on this list, the pasta may require a bit more chewing. On the other hand, you can cook the pasta for a few extra minutes to get the softness you want.
6. Mashed potatoes
Looking for something easy and quick to make when you are wearing traditional or invisible braces in Dubai? Another well-known go-to comfort food when wearing braces is mashed potatoes. Typically served as a side dish, you can have it as a meal for brunch, lunch, or even dinner.
Cheese isn’t the only ingredient you can incorporate into this dish. The pureed starches also make an excellent base for a wide variety of toppings, including pureed broccoli, sour cream, or nutmeg. You can even sprinkle on some wholegrain mustard for an added kick.
7. Soups
Soups are not just for the sick or the old. Rich in nutrients and minerals, you can add a variety of vegetables, meats, herbs, spices, and other ingredients to give soup more flavor. You can even use the broth to soften bread, biscuits, or crackers and make them easier to eat.
With soups, you don’t need to worry about the eating liquid itself, although care must be taken when it comes to the other ingredients. If the other ingredients are not cooked well enough, they could still be hard on the teeth and braces.
The first few weeks of wearing braces can be tough. But by taking note of these foods, you can continue to eat nutritious food without damaging your braces in the process.
