Brace Friendly Eating Tips:

When you follow the rules that Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics made regarding what to eat and what not to eat, you are doing yourself a favor. Drs. Bernard & Eimer give you these guidelines for a reason. It is important to avoid certain foods that can damage your appliance, brackets and wires, which may prolong treatment.

The key rule is: nothing hard, sticky or chewy!

Here is a list of do’s and don’ts:

Red Light Foods
(Do Not Eat These Foods)
• Nuts
• Popcorn
• Chewing Gum
• Hard Pretzels
• Pizza Curst
• Croutons
• Caramels
• Ice Cubes
• Starburst

Green Light Foods
(Foods That You Can Eat)
• Ice Cream
• Potato Chips
• Steamed Vegetables
• Pasta
• Potatoes
• Soft Pretzels
• Yogurt
• Pudding
• Jello
• Soup
• Cereal In Milk
• Cheese
• Eggs
• Milkshakes Or Smoothies

BRACES –SAFE HALLOWEEN TREATS

Smart snacking tips for adults and children with braces)
By the American Association of Orthodontists

What can I have that’s fun to eat for Halloween?
Orthodontists say it’s the perennial question from adults and children wearing braces.

Those who wear braces should avoid the following foods, whether consumed on their own or as recipe ingredients.

• Nuts
• Popcorn
• Tortilla chips
• Hard candy
• Jellybeans
• Licorice
• Taffy
• Caramel and other chewy candies

However, especially because October is National Orthodontic Health Month, orthodontists want to help their patients enjoy the season.

“A little awareness and creativity in the kitchen can produce big smiles from trick-or-treaters with braces.”

Ask Drs. Bernard & Eimer: What Can I Eat When My Teeth Are Sore?

Here are some soft food suggestions for patients to consider:

• Yogurt
• Soft cheeses, such as brie, cottage cheese, and sliced swiss, cheddar, and havarti
• Instant breakfast drinks
• Custard
• Pudding
• Pasta-fully cooked and soft
• Noodles
• soup
• Rice or risotto
• Bulgur wheat
• Polenta
• Grits
• Soft cooked carrots
• Baked fish
• Tofu
• Mashed potatoes
• Hummus
• Mashed bananas
• Milkshakes or smoothies
• Jell-o
• Pudding
• Scrambled eggs
• Oatmeal or cream of wheat

**Remember- Nothing HOT with new “Heat activated” wires and Advil works well for tender teeth.

BOO! Braces-Friendly Halloween Recipes!

With October just around the corner, it's time to start thinking about some frighteningly-good Halloween recipes. Our staff at Bernard and Eimer Orthodontics came across some GHOULISH Halloween recipes this week, courtesy of the American Association of Orthodontists. In general, orthodontic patients should look for foods that are soft and easy to chew. These three recipes fit the bill:

*Spider Bites
*Frightful Finger Cookies
*Black-Cherry Fruit-Bats
and Citrus Orange Pumpkin Fruity Cutouts

Other treats you may want to try this include:

*Soft, melt-in-your-mouth chocolates
*Peanut butter cups
*Milk shakes
*Gelatin
*Peeled, thinly sliced apples
*Ice cream

Have a terrific weekend!

Dairy and your diet, from Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics

Drs. Bernard and Eimer want to know: Is dairy a major part of your diet? If not, it should be! A 2008 study from the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) has found that regular consumption of dairy products, such as milk, cheese and yogurt, can lower your chances of contracting periodontal disease (also known as gum disease).

Gum disease is caused by a bacterial infection in the mouth that affects the gums and jaw. Gum disease results in a loss of teeth and bone, and has been connected to certain cases of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory disease and osteoporosis.

Results of the study show that adults who consume at least 55 grams of lactic acid a day are less at risk for gum disease. Eating dairy is not just healthy for building strong bones, but is essential for maintaining a strong, healthy mouth. Next time you reach for a quick snack, choose some cheese, or a glass of milk, and remember with each bite, and every sip you are preserving your teeth for a lifetime of smiles and good oral health!

For more information about keeping your teeth healthy, call us at Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics!

Now that I have braces, what can I eat? Dr. Bernard explains

You just got braces and Drs. Bernard or Eimer have informed you that over the next several months you will want to avoid eating anything sticky, hard, crunchy, or chewy. What does this leave for you to eat? Lettuce? Nothing?

Luckily, there was someone else wondering the same thing when she first got braces! Brenda Waterman, 13, decided she was going to find a way to have her cake and eat it too, so she created a variety of “braces-friendly” recipes that allow you to enjoy your favorite treats without interfering with your orthodontic care! Her cookbook, “The Braces Cookbook: Recipes you (and your Orthodontist) will Love,” gives patients a variety of delicious recipes, safe to eat with braces; plus additional tips and advice for packing lunches, what to eat at parties, and braces-friendly restaurant dishes! There’s even a section with tips for dealing with the soreness that can occur when your braces or appliance are adjusted. Enjoy the foods you love – even with braces!

Here is a delicious, sneak peek recipe from “The Braces Cookbook:”

Wonderful Waffles

Forget the recipe that came with your waffle iron – this recipe will redefine fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth goodness. The secret to delicious waffles is letting the batter "sit" for five minutes before pouring into the waffle iron. Top cooked waffles with syrup, jam, fresh fruit or even whip cream. Makes about 5 servings!

Preheat your waffle iron according to the directions. You may want to lightly spray it with vegetable oil before heating.
• 3 cups flour
• 2 Tbl + 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 Tbl sugar
• 4 cups milk
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil

In a large bowl, whisk (or use electric mixer on low) together all ingredients. Let batter sit for about five minutes to activate the baking powder.

When waffle iron is ready, pour about 1/3 cup of batter onto each of the four squares (experiment with your iron – you don't want the batter overflowing). Gently close the cover and set your timer as the manufacturer suggests. Do not lift the cover while they bake. When done, carefully lift one edge with a flat spatula and pull the waffle away from the iron. Keep waffles warm on a plate under a clean dishtowel while the others bake.

Enjoy this great braces-friendly dish and Happy New Year!

--From the team at Bernard & Eimer Orthodontics