PRIOR LAKE, LAKEVILLE AND ST PAUL, MINNESOTA- It’s no secret that when you begin orthodontic treatment, some of your eating habits must change.

Although orthodontists in St. Paul will warn you to avoid chewy, sticky, crunchy foods that can damage your appliances, there are lots of foods that are A-OK to eat- and some of them just might surprise you, says Dr. Trudy Bonvino.

The Prior Lake and Lakeville orthodontics provider has compiled a list of the top five foods most patients are surprised to learn they can eat while in orthodontic treatment:

1. Ice Cream
“Not only is ice cream safe to eat, it’s actually recommended when you first get your braces,” says Dr. Bonvino, a Farmington orthodontist.

Ice cream and other cold foods can soothe the discomfort and soreness that comes after you first get your braces.

2. Chocolate
As long as it’s free of nuts and other things that could cause damage to your appliances, milk chocolate is a soft enough snack that is perfectly fine to enjoy while in treatment.

3. Fresh-baked Cookies
Particularly if they are homemade, cookies are soft enough that you aren’t likely to cause damage to your orthodontics appliances by eating them.

“Just remember to brush your teeth after eating sugary sweets to help prevent tooth decay,” says Dr. Bonvino.

4. Crunchy Vegetables and Fruits
Now this one may shock you, but understand that this “green light” comes with a big caveat: cut them into bite-sized pieces before you eat them raw. That includes apples, carrots and celery sticks, to name a few examples.

Another safe way to eat these healthy foods is to bake or cook them, which softens them up.

5. Shakes and Smoothies
Particularly when you first get your braces, these snacks can provide a welcome respite from soreness and tenderness.

Final Thought
Of course, all of these options are not considered “health food,” but it’s important to be realistic during orthodontic treatment. Almost everyone wants to snack on sweets occasionally.

“My goal in sharing this list is to let patients know that if you’re going to snack on something, these are the types of things that are not likely to damage your appliances,” says the St. Paul orthodontics specialist.

By avoiding foods that can damage your orthodontic appliances, you are doing your part to ensure your treatment goes as quickly and smoothly as possible.

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If you’re an adult, the most important thing to remember regarding orthodontics, St. Paul and Eagan      orthodontist Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth says, is that orthodontic appliances have come a long way.

“There are so many aesthetic options available today,” says the adult and children’s orthodontist.

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Dr. Trudy Bonvino, a Prior Lake orthodontics expert who is the orthodontist on staff at Cosmopolitan, has seen braces come to the rescue of some of our patients- particularly those actively involved in sports.

Orthodontic appliances such as wires and brackets have helped prevent some of our patients from having their teeth knocked out on a few occasions. Even our Invisalign patients seem to derive some benefit from wearing their aligners in those odd instances when they’ve been hit in the mouth by a stray elbow or ball while involved in sports, says Dr. Bonvino, who also is a Prior Lake Invisalign provider. [More]