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If you or your child just gotten braces for the very first time, one thing we’d like to share with you is our braces friendly diet plan!

While the benefits of a perfect smile will pay dividends for years to come, many overlook the changes they’ll be facing over the course of their treatment. How do you brush around a wire system that covers most of your teeth? What about flossing?

Even more pressing than either of those questions is, what can a person eat when they have braces?

Fortunately, our orthodontic team has all the answers and we’ve developed our own braces friendly diet. While braces come with specific dietary restrictions, especially during the holidays, and it might include some of your favorite foods. But please don’t worry! The purpose of this post is to explain your dietary options and show you how to keep dinner fun and delicious without risking the investment you’ve made in your oral health.

Foods to Avoid on Our Braces Friendly Diet

First, let’s start with a list of foods that you should avoid if you have braces. This is not only to protect the braces, but also to ensure comfort for the person wearing them.

The below foods all have a high risk of getting lodged or stuck in between brackets, teeth, or wires, and can loosen or damage braces in some instances. You probably don’t want to make an emergency trip to one of our orthodontic offices in Western North Carolina if you don’t have to.

Foods that are off limits:

• Hard candies and nuts
• Hard vegetables (like corn on the cob or carrots)
• Popcorn
• Peanut butter
• Corn Chips
• Hard shell tacos
• Pretzels
• Pizza crust
• Gum, caramel, taffy, or other similar substances
• High acid foods like limes, lemons, or soda, which can cause discoloration

An easy way to remember what not to eat is to avoid foods that are crunchy, chewy, sticky, or gooey!

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Now, while the above foods should be avoided, there are also some items that anyone with braces should be extremely cautious with but may consume. For parents, this mostly means ensuring that the below foods have been cut up into small, bite-sized pieces before serving them to your child.

Foods to be careful of:

• Raw veggies, which should be cut up into small pieces and chewed with teeth in the back of the mouth
• Burgers
• Chips
• Hard breads, like bagels or French breads
• Sandwiches
• Certain fruits, especially apples and pears. They should always be cut up first before being consumed

Foods That Are Braces-Friendly

Now that you’re familiar with the kinds of foods that our orthodontists don’t include in BRO’s braces friendly diet, let’s discuss what foods get a thumbs up!

Your Braces Meal Plan for the First Week

When you first get braces, it may be a good idea to stick to foods that are very soft just to get used to how eating feels with your braces on. Don’t worry parents, there are more options than just ice cream to nourish your kids during this trial period.

Smoothies

One of the best go-to’s for anyone in a situation that impedes their ability to eat normally is smoothies packed with nutritious fruits and vegetables, and the same is true for those wearing braces. Smoothies can be made in a thousand different ways, so you’re not likely to get bored eating them, plus they taste great. What’s already become a morning staple for on-the-go office types can also be the braces breakfast of champions!

Soup

This may seem obvious, but everyone who’s gone through the braces diet dilemma realizes just how valuable soup is by the end of it. Like smoothies, soups can be incredibly versatile and include a number of hearty vegetables. A good tomato basil soup for lunch will keep you full and won’t harm the structure of your braces.

Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes

Not only is this dish filling and nutritious (especially if you use sweet potatoes), but it also makes for the ideal dinner on the braces diet. Everything is soft and easy to eat, which will be crucial for the first couple of nights.

Regular Diet Moving Forward

Once you or your child has gotten acclimated to the feeling of eating with braces on, you may start to expand your diet as long as you stop at the list of foods mentioned at the top of the post. One of the most important things for a person to learn while they have braces on is to do the vast majority of their chewing at the back of their teeth.

To make this easier, encourage your child to cut up their food into small bites prior to the start of their meal, or do so for them. This will keep them from having to tear things apart with the front of their teeth and possibly damaging their braces in the process.

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So what kind of food is essential to the braces diet? Below, we’ve broken it up by meal.

Breakfast

To start the day off right, especially before work or school, you’ll want to load up on nutrients and protein. Our suggestions for good breakfast foods are:

• Smoothies made of fruits, yogurt, and other additives
• Scrambled eggs
• Soft egg and cheese casserole with zucchini and tomato
• Oatmeal made with milk and including cinnamon, mashed bananas, or mashed pears
• Yoghurt with mashed fruit on top and crispy rice cereal at the bottom

Lunch

Lunch can be tricky, especially if your child goes to a school that provides lunches to their students. Just reiterate to them the importance of cutting everything up into bite-sized pieces before eating them and chewing with their back teeth. If you are packing a lunch for yourself or your child, consider these options:

• Soup
• Chili
• Pasta salad with tomatoes and peeled cucumbers
• Tuna salad on soft bread
• Mac n cheese
• Fish
• Tofu scramble

Dinner

Perhaps the hardest meal to plan for, especially with families, is dinner. Since you will be eating at home and won’t be pressed for time, most items should be okay, as long as they have been cut into small pieces. Some easy and braces-friendly options for dinner include:

• Ravioli and other noodle dishes
• Soup and salad
• Mac n cheese
• Fish and steamed veggies
• Spaghetti and ground beef
• Loaded baked potatoes
• Meatloaf and mashed potatoes
• Grilled tofu
• Soft cooked beans and rice, as well as guacamole and tortillas

Snacks

For those who work long hours, exercise regularly, or have children in school, snacks are a crucial part of their daytime eating routine. Unfortunately, braces make consuming most standby snack food impossible (including dried fruit, pretzels, nuts, and hard vegetables like carrots). There are some foods, however, that make a killer snack and satisfy the braces diet requirements.

• Bananas
• Applesauce
• Yogurt
• Jello
• Clementine oranges
• Raspberries and other soft fruits
• Soft cheese

Conclusion

Though braces can certainly present their own set of challenges, eating and cooking around them doesn’t have to be one. If you stick to the above diet and foods similar to it, you will find that eating with braces is much easier than you anticipated. Your treatment will fly by without any issues, and you’ll have a brighter, straighter smile before you know it. And don’t forget to indulge in a little ice cream!

Have any questions about braces and other orthodontic treatment options that we didn’t answer above? Get in touch with us or schedule an appointment to come by and consult with one of our doctors at no charge to you.

Imagine achieving the smile that you’ve been dreaming of without ever having to sacrifice comfort or confidence. Who wouldn’t want a treatment like that?

When Invisalign first came on the scene, it sent ripples throughout the orthodontic community. Invisible aligners were (and are) the future of orthodontic treatment. Patients were eager to hear more from their dentists and orthodontists, but the first question out of their mouths was almost always, “How much do they cost?”

Though Invisalign continues to develop and grow its technology, the question remains the same. The short answer is that there is no one answer. Invisalign is like any other kind of treatment一the final cost will depend heavily on a number of different factors, including the severity of that patient’s situation, location of the office, and insurance coverage.

Recently, a member of our team was speaking with a consultation. During the consultation, questions about the price of Invisalign came up. Below is the break down that was provided during the consultation of all the costs associated with Invisalign, as well as the ways that you can save some extra cash.

For those that are interested in an at-home alternative to Invisalign, we’ve also provided some info about Impressions invisible aligners, which was developed by Dr. Luke Roberts.

How Much Does Invisalign Cost Compared to Braces?

This is one of the questions that we get a lot at BRO. While most practices charge a comparable price for Invisalign compared to braces, BRO offers both treatments for the same price. Why? Because we didn’t want patients to make this decision based solely on price.

The overall cost of treatment is usually higher in places like New York and Los Angeles because practices have higher overhead due to things like rent, taxes, equipment, etc, so you can plan on spending a little more if you come visit BRO in Asheville.

Some newer providers will offer a discount on Invisalign to attract patients, but they may lack the expertise to treat more advanced cases with clear aligners. BRO is among the top 1% of Invisalign providers in North America, which means that you know you’ll be in the best hands possible when receiving treatment.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Invisalign?

Great news to anyone out there with dental insurance (and those who are still on their parent’s plan hint, hint): most policies now cover Invisalign, so you’re eligible to save even more on the cost of this treatment. We’ll verify any possible insurance benefits when you come in for your initial consultation, which is complimentary. That way you’ll know exactly what you have to pay before treatment even begins.

We work with most private dental insurance providers, so feel free to come to us with your information to see if you could save some extra money. Chances are you or your employer are already paying for this policy, why not take advantage of the benefits it offers?

Does BRO Offer Payment & Financing Options for Invisalign?

Great question! At BRO, we offer flexible in-house financing and down-payment options that aim to work with all income levels. Our staff will find a payment plan that fits you or your family’s needs. Some plans work by putting money down and following up with monthly payments, while others include zero down payment and no interest over time. Discounts may also be available if multiple family members get their smiles changed here at BRO.

Our treatment coordinator will go over your options and develop a plan during your initial consultation. BRO accepts all major credit cards and offers third-party financing through Care Credit.

What Does “Severity of the Patient’s Situation” Mean?

It might sound complicated, but it’s actually very straightforward. While Invisalign has been developed to treat a number of different cases, each with their own set of individual needs, the more complex cases usually require more time, which will often result in a higher cost of treatment.

Some cases can be treated in just three months while others may take three years, and the cost will proportionately reflect that difference in duration. More time=more aligners and more visits to the orthodontist office (by the way, have you visited our new orthodontic office in Asheville? It’s gorgeous!)

Another factor that can affect the success of Invisalign treatment is the patient’s ability to follow their doctor’s treatment plan. While it’s tempting to leave trays out longer than prescribed, don’t do it! This will result in it taking longer to straighten your teeth. Each doctor makes their recommendations for a reason, but if a patient doesn’t follow along, treatment can begin to lag.

Have You Heard About Impressions Yet?

BRO is very excited to share their own at-home treatment method called Impressions, which is an alternative to Invisalign for half the cost.

If you are looking to correct mild to moderate orthodontic issues, Impressions’ aligners may be just the right fit! Invisalign requires regular visits to the orthodontist, but Impressions is an at-home option for orthodontic care. Plus, most patients who used Impressions only had to do so for nine months on average! Cutting back on visits and overall time of treatment brings the costs way down.

How Much Do Impressions Invisible Aligners Cost?

At the end of the day, most prospective patients want to hear the numbers, so here they are. Impressions at-home, clear aligner treatment costs HALF the price of traditional Invisalign or braces, with insurance benefits covering an additional $500-$1,500.

Conclusion

If you’d like to know how much Invisalign costs, you should visit us in Asheville, Hendersonville or Brevard. The first consultation is complimentary and there’s nothing to lose. Here’s what you can expect.

Each case is unique, so don’t be scared off by the numbers above. Your perfect smile may be more affordable than you think. Schedule an appointment or call us for more information.

We’re excited to announce that Dr. Luke Roberts was invited to come on Worldwide Business with kathy ireland® to discuss Impressions.

While we were extremely pleased to get this opportunity (and may have popped a couple bottles of bubbly to celebrate), the real benefit goes to you, our patients. With the spotlight on Impressions, we’ll have more opportunities than ever to focus on this profound at-home treatment option for orthodontic care. We couldn’t have made it this far without your support and assistance, so from all of us at Blue Ridge Orthodontics, we want to offer a warm and heartfelt thank you!

The interview was broadcast on Fox Business this Sunday, June 3rd, 2018. Did you miss it? No problem, we saved the recording!

Where Did Dr. Roberts Get The Idea for Impressions?

Dr. Roberts created Impressions with a simple goal in mind: help align patients teeth based on proven technology in a way that is easier and more accessible, thus able to reach a wider audience.

“I created Impressions to be better than other companies out there,” says Dr. Roberts. “We help build brighter, more beautiful smiles with a simpler and lower cost replacement for conventional braces.”

It All Starts With a Scan

The Impressions treatment starts with a 3D scan that captures a detailed picture of the shape and size of a patient’s teeth. This removes all the guesswork out of imaging and enables an orthodontist to create the most accurate treatment plan possible. Not only does this save a patient the worry of receiving ill-made aligners, it saves them time overall because they know that the treatment is designed to work as effectively as possible.

Blue Ridge Orthodontics then delivers up to 25 aligners at once, more than any other company, so that the patient can see exactly how their teeth are going to change over the course of this treatment. Each aligner can be worn up to a week, at which time the patient will move on to their next set. Having them at home means an easier and faster treatment time, though we do offer live orthodontic care and advice should a patient need it.

What Makes Impressions Different?

“When I developed Impressions I wanted to be better than the other companies who were doing at-home orthodontics at every single level,” says Dr. Roberts. “First we start with an Itero 3D scan of the teeth. Without that 3D scan, you can’t get perfect information about how to fix someone’s smile to be the best it can be.”

Other at-home treatment options used to start with messy impression paste that a patient had to apply themselves, which is hard enough for professionals inside a dental office. That system left a lot of room for error, but that’s not the case with the iTero 3D scan. A 3D scan takes a complete and trustworthy picture of the shape and size of a patient’s teeth, allowing orthodontists to devise the best treatment plan possible, which is what all of our Impressions patients have come to expect.

After the initial appointment, smile scan and possible refinement scan, patients don’t have to come back until treatment is over. They are more than welcome to make visits if they’d like (after all, our new offices are pretty sweet), but the remainder of treatment will take place in their home. They’ll have a complete set of aligners (up to 25 sets) mailed to them within a couple weeks. The Impressions patient wears each set of trays for 20 to 22 hours a day over the course of a week, similar to Invisalign®, only removing them to eat, drink, brush and floss.

While each smile is unique, most patients will complete their Impressions treatment within six to twelve months. Plus, Impressions is managed by a Diamond-level Invisalign® provider, so patients know that they’re getting top-notch quality care. Dr. Roberts used the Invisalign® system to develop Impressions, which means that patients are getting the best product made with the best materials in the clear aligner industry!

To recap, here are a couple of highlights that come along with Impressions:

• 3D iTero scan一a complete picture of teeth without the mess or confusion
• Most of the treatment happens at home, so patients have more time for their regular lives
• More affordable treatment than traditional braces and Invisalign®
• Clear aligner trays made from the best material possible
• Complete treatment without bulky metal wiring, meaning patients won’t have to sacrifice comfort or confidence

How Do You Get Started With Impressions?

Getting started with Impressions is a breeze. Patients can visit the ImpressionsHub (our office here in Asheville) and ImpressionStops (in the near future) for initial consultations and smile scans in Western North Carolina. Besides coming in for the initial consultation, Impressions patients can perfect their smile from virtually anywhere.

“We’re excited to be able to help patients who trust our Diamond Invisalign status and the Invisalign brand, but who live many miles from our practice,” explains Dr. Roberts. “We have Impressions patients in North Carolina, Georgia, Ohio, Massachusetts, Texas, California and now even in Europe. We’re excited about our time with Kathy Ireland and her viewers – and that even more people are learning about how they can transform their smile with Impressions.”

One of the most exciting parts of being spotlighted on Kathy’s show is the opportunity to expand the Impressions network. Hopefully in the near future, we’ll be able to establish ImpressionStops all across the country! Follow us on social media to receive updates and find out the latest in Impressions news.

Our ImpressionsHub, where you can come for an initial consultation and smile scan, is located within our headquarters in Asheville. Since Impressions only requires an initial consult, refinement visit and final records appointment, patients can be virtually anywhere.

“We’re excited to be able to help patients who trust our Diamond Invisalign status and the Invisalign brand, but who live many miles from our practice,” explains Dr. Roberts. “We have Impressions patients in North Carolina, Georgia, Ohio, Massachusetts, Texas, California and now even in Europe. We’re excited about our time with Kathy Ireland and her viewers – and that even more people are learning about how they can transform their smile with Impressions.”

Planning on traveling to Blue Ridge Orthodontics for your first consultation? We are offering gift cards (up to $200 in value) to anyone who needs to travel more than 2 hours to visit us. If you have any questions or concerns, please call us at (828) 585 – 6045 or sign up here.

Conclusion

This is a very special time for the team here at BRO, and we could not have done it without the support of our Asheville community. Anyone who has had the opportunity to work with Dr. Roberts and experience Impressions knows how revolutionary this system is, and now with thanks to Kathy Ireland, the world will know more about the easiest and most affordable at-home orthodontic treatment available.

Worldwide Business with kathy ireland® is a weekly half-hour show featuring global executives sharing their business insights and framing the opportunities shaping their industries. Kathy herself is a business mogul and one of the world’s greatest corporate leaders. The show broadcasts on Fox Business Network and globally on Bloomberg International.

There are a lot of reasons why someone might need braces, but did you know that technology has enabled them to become much more discreet, comfortable, and enjoyable than ever before? Upcoming dances or important board meetings are no problem with this new option in dental realignment.

Here are a couple of important factors to know when considering ceramic braces.

1) Ceramic Braces Are More Discreet Than Traditional Braces

Though ceramic braces are made in the same shape as traditional metal ones, their brackets are small, clear, and almost entirely invisible, especially if you use a colored arch wire. This offers an alternative to dental correction that is much more discreet and attractive to potential patients. Can you imagine 18 months of photos with metal in your mouth? Not ideal!

2) Ceramic Braces Are Tougher Than They Sound!

It’s a common misconception that ceramic braces aren’t nearly as tough as traditional ones. While metal is a tougher raw material, the design and application of ceramic braces has been refined to ensure maximum durability. It is important that you find a provider who offers the highest quality available, and in that department BRO has you covered!

3) The Arch Wire can be “Colored” to Blend with Your Teeth

While the braces themselves will be made of a clear and durable ceramic material, you will still have a metal arch wire that connects them along the outside of your teeth. I know what you’re thinking一a big metal wire? What’s discreet about that? Well, you have the option of using a colored wire to blend with your teeth. This enables you to fix your smile without the stress of unsightly metal interrupting your daily life. Choose between a number of shades, like frost, silver, or white, and you’ll be amazed at how seamlessly your new alignment gear fits into the rest of your smile!

4) Ceramic Braces Don’t Demineralize Tooth Enamel

Fortunately, ceramic braces don’t demineralize the tooth’s enamel. Say what? Thanks to advanced orthodontic technology, you can trust that your ceramic brackets are attached with the highest bond strength possible, along with the least amount of change to the tooth enamel.

Further technologies have produced a top-of-the-line bonding agent to prevent demineralization and subsequent color change around a bracket during treatment. Though you shouldn’t have to worry about your tooth enamel being affected, you can expect the highest level of adhesive strength so your ceramic braces stay fixed throughout their use.

5) Clear Ceramic Braces Are Easy to Remove (After Treatment Finishes)

Clear ceramic braces come off easily when your treatment is finished. Due to the technological advances mentioned above, ceramic bracket removal is less difficult than earlier counterparts and less likely to leave demineralized tooth enamel behind.

6) Ceramic Braces Won’t Be Noticeable in Pictures

While we have all the tips for how to get the best picture with braces, why not skip the hassle altogether? With clear ceramic brackets, there’s no need to worry about how braces will affect a potential Kodak moment because they aren’t noticeable in pictures! You’ll smile easy with the comfort of knowing that your teeth are about to be the picture of health.

7) Ceramic Braces Can Work Faster Than Invisalign

Another popular option for discreet realignment is Invisalign. Invisalign may be perfect for some patients, but treatment is faster with ceramic braces because they remain on your teeth 24/7. Invisalign trays are  worn for 20-22 hours a day, and you can remove them for meals, cleaning, and events such as sports games.

The problem is that because they are removable, users can often take them out and forget to put them back in or lose them altogether. Ceramic braces offers an almost parallel level of discretion and faster treatment time.

8) Ceramic Braces Are More Comfortable Than Traditional Metal Braces

Ceramic braces are one of the most comfortable options for dental realignment. Their smaller rounded brackets and ceramic material means that they are less likely to cause discomfort or irritate your gums. Overall, the experience with ceramic braces is a lot more bearable than their metal counterparts.

9) The Latest Ceramic Braces Don’t Stain As Easily

Orthodontists first began to use clear braces in the 1980s. The original ceramic braces were made of plastic and could stain easily. Thanks to advances in technology, we now have access to comfortable ceramic braces that are clear and less susceptible to discoloration.

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This doesn’t mean you should slack off on your dental hygiene, though! Without attending to your diet and brushing habits, ceramic braces can stain and become visible. An especially easy part to stain are the plastic ligatures that connect the brackets. Follow our ultimate guide to brushing with braces so that you can keep your teeth looking clean and healthy!

10) Younger Patients Can Add Flair with Colored Bands

Does your child want to add a little bit more flair to their braces? With colored bands connecting their brackets, younger patients can make their mouth gear look truly unique. This’ll make their mouth pop and definitely leave an impression. Use colored bands to coordinate with your outfit or celebrate a holiday!

What Are the Disadvantages to Ceramic Braces?

Though we feel that ceramic braces are a good option for some, there are always drawbacks. First and foremost, they are more expensive than traditional metal braces. When factoring in the cost of an already costly procedure, you may want to consider a route that is just as effective for less money.

Second, ceramic braces cannot handle as much pressure as metal ones because the brackets themselves are weaker. If your teeth require more extensive corrections, we recommend traditional metal braces.

Finally, ceramic braces require more maintenance than metal braces if you want to keep them looking pristine. Since the material itself is clear and porous, there is the opportunity for it to stain if the highest level of oral hygiene is not maintained. The team here at BRO knows that you have a lot of options to consider when seeking dental correction treatment. Why not come in for a complimentary consultation and speak with one of our many qualified doctors? We’re always happy to talk about the industry we love, and we promise that you’ll leave with something to smile about!

New Years is behind us and the 4th of July is still months away, but for some lucky folk, the very best holiday is fast approaching! For our patients with Invisalign, we wanted to provide them with a few tips to make their Valentine’s Day extra special this year!

If you read our holiday post, you’ll know that this is a running series on the BRO blog.

Whether you’re chowing down on chocolate or indulging in a five-course meal with wines paired for each new plate, you’ll want to take extra special care of your Invisalign this week. It’ll certainly pay off later when you have a lustrous smile that you’ll be proud to share with all of your loved ones.

Just like any aspect of the Invisalign process, preparation and diligence is necessary for success. You may be tempted to disregard your aligners on account of it being a holiday, but fortunately we’ve collected a list of helpful suggestions to ease your experience and keep your teeth looking great.

1) Prep for Valentine’s Day

No matter your Valentine’s Day plans, our orthodontists recommend that you prepare for an Invisalign “cheat day.”  How do you do this? Prepare for a long night off by being especially compliant to your prescribed treatment plan in the days leading up to Valentines day.

We also recommend bringing your Invisalign tray box and a toothbrush along on Wednesday一you never know when the need to snack will attack!

2) Be Mindful of What You Eat

When you finally sit down to dinner or drinks, you’ll likely be ravenous and totally caught up in the excitement of the moment. That being said, our orthodontists recommend limiting dark liquids and problematic foods to one meal (a romantic dinner).

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To get the best results, you should have your Invisalign aligners for 22 hours per day. So if you think your  Valentine’s Day meal will last for more than 3 hours, plan accordingly. Otherwise, stick to clear liquids and hydrate a lot!

3) Don’t forget to smile

Here at Blue Ridge Orthodontics, our mission is to help each patient achieve the smile of their dreams. So our next Valentine’s Day tip is to urge you NOT to be self-conscious about your smile on Wednesday. Enjoy the time you have with your loved one and let your smile show!

Invisalign is so unique because it doesn’t hinder your daily life. As your pouring your heart out to the special person in your life, don’t forget to show off your smile! You’ve earned it.

4) Enjoy the candy then brush it away!

Chocolate and Valentine’s go together like hugs and kisses…enjoy yourself, but be sure to brush your teeth vigorously before popping your Invisalign back in!

If you’re worried about what foods will and won’t be harmful to your Invisalign, here are a list of problem items best to avoid:

• Sticky candies, like caramel or toffee
• Hard pretzels
• Crostini, or dishes like bruschetta
• Coffee, tea, and wine (as much as possible)
• Gum

Hopefully, after reading these tips, you’re no longer stressed about what to do with your Invisalign come February 14th. If you heed this advice, you can have a fun-filled celebration AND a beautiful smile for years to come!