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Farm to Table Recipes for Orthodontic Patients and Their Familes

August 10th, 2016

Nutritious and delicious dishes to make you smile

One of the most common questions adult patients ask their orthodontist is, “What can I eat?” The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) found some answers.  The AAO asked a personal chef to cook up a few ideas that patients could bite into without harming their braces, aligners and retainers.

Taking advantage of the freshness of the season, these three delicious farm-to-table recipes are easy on orthodontic patients, loaded with nutrients and simple to prepare.

“Soft, tender foods like those in these recipes are ideal for orthodontic patients because they don’t risk breaking brackets, wires or other elements, which could prolong treatment,” according to Morris N. Poole, DDS and president of the AAO. “It’s a wonderful thing when the foods that are good for your health happen to be great for your orthodontic treatment, too.”

These recipes feature fresh, quality ingredients that can be grown at home or obtained at local farmers’ markets, such as oregano, basil and spinach, and require no more than thirty minutes to prepare.

Ready to get cooking?

Summer Corn-Tomato-Basil Orzo Salad with Shrimp

  • 1 pound of orzo, cooked according to package directions
  • 2 to 3 ears of fresh corn, husks and silk removed, kernels cut off of cob
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 pound of medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
  • 1 pint of cherry tomatoes, halved
  • Parmesan cheese, for serving
  1. Melt the butter over medium heat in a sauté pan and cook the corn, salt, and pepper for 7 minutes.
  2. Add the shrimp and cook, stirring until pink.
  3. Toss the orzo, corn and shrimp, tomatoes, and fresh basil together. Taste for salt and pepper and serve with grated Parmesan cheese, hot, cold, or at room temperature.

Farm Stand Frittata

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 10 ounces fresh spinach or broccoli
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 2 large fresh eggs
  • ½ cup low fat milk
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • Fresh black pepper, to taste
  1. Preheat oven to 350o and spray pie dish with cooking spray.
  2. Melt the butter on the stovetop in a pan and sauté the onion over medium heat until tender.
  3. Mix all ingredients together and pour into pie dish.
  4. Bake 30 minutes or until frittata is set.

Farm Stand Zucchini-Garlic Fusilli with Feta (not pictured)

  • 1-pound fusilli, cooked according to package directions
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • 2 medium zucchini, sliced into half moons
  • 2 sprigs fresh oregano
  • ¾-1 teaspoon kosher salt, to taste
  • Fresh black pepper, to taste
  • ½ cup Feta cheese, crumbled

1. Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a sauté pan. When the oil is warm but not hot, add the sliced garlic and stir for two minutes.

3. Add the sliced zucchini, kosher salt, a few grinds of fresh black pepper, and sauté until tender.

4. Add the fresh oregano and cook one minute.

5. Toss zucchini and garlic with the pasta and top each serving with the crumbled Feta cheese.

About the American Association of Orthodontists

Founded in 1900, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) is the world’s oldest and largest dental specialty organization.  It represents 17,000 orthodontist members throughout the United States, Canada and abroad.  The AAO encourages and sponsors key research to enable its members to provide the highest quality of care to patients, and is committed to educating the public about the need for, and benefits of, orthodontic treatment.

Orthodontists are uniquely qualified specialists who diagnose, prevent and treat dental and facial irregularities to correctly align teeth and jaws.  Orthodontists receive an additional two to three years of specialized education in orthodontics beyond dental school at an accredited orthodontic residency program.
https://www1.mylifemysmile.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Farm-to-Table-Recipes-to-Make-You-Smile.pdf

Foods to Avoid During Orthodontic Treatment

April 17th, 2013

What you eat and do not eat will directly affect the condition of your teeth. The foods mentioned below should be strictly avoided.
Hard Foods
Sometimes, it’s difficult to break and chew certain foods. Eating these foods can be harmful because they can bend or break the wires and even displace the brackets. Avoid them especially after you have had the braces’ wires changed, since teeth are the most tender at this stage.
• Pretzels
• Nuts (almonds, cashews, peanuts)
• Bagels
• Hard rolls
• Raw veggies like carrots and celery
• Corn on the cob
• Hard cookies
• Baby back ribs
• Chicken wings
• Hard pizza crust
• Beef jerky
• Tacos and tortilla chips
Suggestions
1. Fruits are an essential part of a balanced diet, so if you want to eat apples, pears, and peaches, or other crunchy fruits, do not directly bite into them. Instead cut them into bite-size pieces before consuming.
2. If you like nuts, grind them and add them to cereals and yogurt.
3. Remove the meat from wings and ribs so you do not accidentally chew on a bone and pop your bracket!
4. If you absolutely love corn, remove the kernels from the cob and have them.
5. You can eat broccoli and other crunchy veggies provided you cut them into small pieces and steam them.
6. Do not eat hard candies and lollipops.
7. Can’t resist cookies? Dip them in milk and eat them when they soften.
8. Do not have ice cubes at all as it can damage the braces. You can suck on them, but never bite them!
Sweet, Sugary, and Sticky Foods
Sticky foods are the most dangerous, they can get stuck to your teeth and braces, and can even result in the braces getting pulled off. Sugary foods, as the name implies, are high in sugar, and their consumption can lead to tooth decay.
• Caramel candies
• Honey
• Toffees
• Chocolate-covered nuts
• Raisins
• Fruit rolls
• Chewing gum
Suggestions
1. If at all you have candies, have the ones you can suck on, and afterwards, rinse your mouth to avoid sugar buildup on the teeth.
2. Totally avoid chewing gum and bubble gum. Gum stuck on the braces can be messy and difficult to clean. It can also loosen the wires and brackets and cause them to come off.
Foods High in Acid
These highly acidic foods should be avoided at all costs. These foods can cause thinning of the enamel and discoloration of teeth. Once you remove the braces, the color difference between the teeth, where the braces were, will be quite obvious.
• Citrus fruits like lemons and limes
• Sodas and carbonated beverages (that includes diet sodas)
Additionally, never chew on things like pens, pencils, pen caps, and fingernails. Do not even try to tear or rip open anything by your teeth. This can cause extensive damage to the braces.
Foods That Can be Consumed
• Steamed and cooked vegetables
• Fruits that are cut into pieces
• Whole grains
• Pastas
• Breads
• Rice
• Unsweetened juices
• Dairy products
Make a wise choice based on the above list of foods, now that you are aware what foods are good and what should not be consumed. Your meals need not be boring. Spice things up by trying new recipes that will not prove harmful for the braces. Rinse your mouth with thoroughly after every meal. Take care of your braces and maintain oral hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly. Make sure that you eat a variety of healthy foods while undergoing orthodontic treatment for braces. And, it won’t be long before the braces set things straight and you regain that attractive smile!
Source: Buzzle.com

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