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Meet the Impressions Team

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Meet the Impressions Team - Blue Ridge Orthodontics

Impressions is the only at-home aligner company with a professional fit and personal touch! Impressions is Blue Ridge Orthodontics’ at-home treatment option, bringing a never-seen-before orthodontic offer to the Asheville area. All in-office treatment actually occurs at Blue Ridge Orthodontics in Asheville, NC, and the rest takes place wherever you decide.

Blue Ridge Orthodontics and Impressions treatment in asheville ncOne of the top distinguishing factors that separates Impressions from those “other” at-home treatments, is the access to orthodontic professionals! The team of Blue Ridge Orthodontics doctors will create a treatment plan to fit your case, supervise your treatment, and be there if you have questions during treatment. 

With Impressions, there also is no worrying about doing the gooey impression yourself – or having to repeat that goopy process over and over. You’re an expert at your job, and we don’t expect you to know how to do ours. We’ll take an expert 3-D scan of your smile and rule out the need for a gooey mold altogether. Leave the orthodontist work to us – it makes more sense that way. 

Impressions was founded and created by Blue Ridge Orthodontics’ founder Dr. Roberts.

Dr. RobertsDr. T. Luke Roberts, D.M.D., M.S.D.  

A native of Spartanburg, SC, Dr. Roberts founded Blue Ridge Orthodontics in 2007 with a commitment to caring, personalized, and state-of-the-art orthodontic treatment for each patient. That commitment has helped BRO grow to be the largest orthodontic practice in Asheville and the creation of an entirely new at-home treatment, Impressions. 

Dr. Roberts wanted to create an awesome solution for the patient who is seeking “at home” orthodontics treatment. It needed to be safe, effective, and less expensive than traditional orthodontic treatment. Dr. Roberts really wanted to help people develop more confidence through their smile journey! Having a great smile has been proven to boost self-esteem and confidence in social settings.

“I chose orthodontics because I knew I would be able to create that positive change in self-image for people every day. I love seeing the transformation that happens when they move through the different stages of orthodontic treatment, and my favorite moment is when they get their braces off! It is so rewarding to see a beautiful smile and to know I helped make it a reality!”

When he’s not busy creating new smiles at BRO, Dr. Roberts is a devoted music fan and plays the guitar, banjo, and mandolin. He and his wife, Beth, live in Asheville with their children Quinn, Emma, and Charlie. The entire family loves global food and are avid cooks.

Dr. Megan SchulerMegan G. Schuler, D.M.D., M.S.D.

Dr. Megan G. Schuler wanted to be an orthodontist since she herself had braces. She had insecurities around her teeth and smile. Orthodontic treatment was the thing that made her feel more confident! She became comfortable with her new smile and realized the difference that straight teeth could make in someone’s life. After her treatment, Dr. Schuler decided that she wanted to help give people the smiles that they always hoped for, so they could face the world proudly.

“Straightening my teeth completely changed my attitude and gave me confidence,” says Schuler.

When she’s not transforming people’s smiles, Dr. Schuler also enjoys hiking, camping, yoga, reading, traveling, trying new restaurants. Spending time with her husband, Brendan, and dog, Boone is her idea of peace.

Dr. Jackson GriffethDr. Jackson Griffeth, D.M.D., M.S.D.

Jackson Griffeth, our newest addition to the Impressions team. Growing up in a family of healthcare workers, it was natural for Dr. Griffeth to want to work with people. All it took was a day of shadowing an orthodontist and he was hooked! Dr. Griffeth drives to create an excellent patient experience and join the uplifting team culture of the BRO team.

“My decision to pursue orthodontics is founded on the desire to make a positive physical and emotional impact on members of my community,” says Griffeth.

Dr. Griffeth has had some very exciting life experiences including competing in the TV show American Ninja Warrior! With his warm personality and excitement for experiences, Dr. G is able to lighten the mood and instantly put you at ease. 

 

So, why is it so important to have the Impressions team on your side?

Well, we’re so glad you asked. Access to the Impressions team is one of the top factors that sets Impressions away from “the other guys”.

When you choose another at-home option, you either try to take your own gooey mold of your smile, or you go to an office or a bus. A staff member will either take your impression or a scan of your smile and then send you on your way. Your mold or scan is then sent to a dentist, that you’ll never see or meet, in another state to make adjustments to your smile. Wouldn’t you prefer to talk directly to the doctor who is making such a huge change in your smile? With the impressions team, you can tell us face-to-face what your concerns are before we make drastic changes to your smile.

Did you know that most other at-home aligner company’s treatment planners aren’t even Orthodontists? They’re dentists! And yeah, you might think they’re pretty much the same, but news flash, they aren’t!! Dentists are qualified to treat the diseases and conditions that affect the teeth and gums, especially the repair and extraction of teeth and the insertion of artificial ones. Orthodontists complete dental school and then complete additional years of school to learn how to safely and accurately straighten your teeth to give you a smile you’re proud of without causing future issues. These Dentists that are planning treatment for those “other” companies do it after just THREE DAYS in a course. Think about the difference in learning for three days versus years!

If you have problems with another at-home company, which is likely since they’ve only been doing it for 3 days, there is no doctor to call and ask questions. Our team will be there for you throughout your entire journey. 

At the end of treatment, if you decide to continue to change or professionally whiten your smile, you already know where to come! *hint hint* It’s us! We live and work here! Our friends and family live in WNC and they come to us too! With impressions, you’re working with a group of doctors who are trusted by your neighbors! In small towns and cities, that means something. 

 

Choose Impressions to help you make the smile of your dreams come true.

xx Your Impressions Family

 

Fill out the form below to start your journey to your #ImpressionSmile!

Request a Virtual Appt

 

 

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From Self-Conscious to Confident Smile with Clear Aligners

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From Self-Conscious to Confidently Smiling with Clear Aligners

Thinking about straightening your smile with Impressions clear aligners? Hear from Impressions patient, Audra, to see how her confidence changed forever.

We’ve all been teased. Some would say it’s a right of passage in junior high and high school. But I can still remember how mean teenagers can be. It doesn’t feel like a right of passage – more like torture. 

I mostly got called a nerd. Second in the running was “Jolly Green Giant” because I towered over most of my friends and peers right up until graduation. I also occasionally got picked on because my one front tooth edged out just a little ahead of the others, like it was trying to win a race. It was only one tooth, but that was all it took for the other hormonal high schoolers to make me feel like an outcast. 

I didn’t mind being called a nerd, because I liked being smart. I didn’t mind being singled out for being close to six feet tall, because it made me better at sports. What I didn’t like was the one bucktooth. That was something that could have been changed. I could have had a set of braces slapped on my teeth, like so many of my peers, and then come out the other side with teeth lined up like soldiers in a regiment. But, I didn’t get braces. 

“We can’t afford that,” my parents said. I said that was okay, even though it didn’t feel okay. After that, when I opened and closed my mouth I could feel that delinquent tooth rubbing just slightly more against the inside of my mouth – a reminder that I didn’t have a straight smile like my friends, or even the bullies. It was also a reminder that my parents didn’t have 5k or more to fix my teeth. 

I smiled less at graduation because of that tooth. I smiled less at my friends, family and new acquaintances. I smiled less when I got my first job. All because of that one tooth. 

Ten years later, I finally decided to straighten my teeth. I was pretty dang sick of talking out of one side of my mouth – the side of my mouth where my teeth looked perfectly normal – and was tired of the weird face I made in pictures. 

“Your teeth are pretty straight. Have you had braces before?” Dr. Roberts asked me.

I was shocked. No, I hadn’t had braces before. Couldn’t he see that one tooth that was sticking way out in front of all the others? Couldn’t he see that it had caused kids to pick on me?

No, he couldn’t see the insecurities that the one little tooth had caused my whole life, but he listened when I told him. He also listened when I told him I didn’t want braces because, while braces may have been acceptable in high school, I didn’t want them as an adult. 

I embarked on my new smile journey. The clear aligners straightened my teeth right up. In 14 months, that tooth was back in line where he was supposed to be. No one was going to pick on me about my smile ever again. 

Impressions Before After

When I finished my treatment and looked at the before and after photos, I couldn’t believe what I saw. Looking back, I could see that my tooth wasn’t actually that far out of line and that my smile wasn’t actually that crooked. I guess to me it had felt like it was really crooked because I harbored so much insecurity about it. Had I needed clear aligners at all? Then, I realized something. Confidence gives you a whole new perspective. Once I had a straight, beautiful smile that I wasn’t insecure about anymore, I couldn’t imagine tolerating anyone picking on me for one tooth. I was so comfortable with my teeth that I almost couldn’t imagine a time when I was uncomfortable. 

I think that’s the power of truly feeling good about yourself, and that’s why orthodontic treatment – like Impressions – is so important. Having insecurities and being self-conscious are real things. Whether you have one tooth out of line, or a whole mouth of crooked teeth, the effect of feeling insecure about your smile can do the same damage. From a medical standpoint did I really need my teeth straightened? No. From a self-confidence perspective did I need my teeth straightened? Absolutely. 

I can tell you Impressions treatment made a world of difference for me. I like smiling now, and that changes everything.

 

Find out if Impressions is right for you. Schedule a consultation now, get your aligners in 6-8 weeks! You deserve a smile you feel confident in.

Choose Impressions to help you make the smile of your dreams come true.

xx Your Impressions Family

 

 

 

Fill out the form below to start your journey to your #ImpressionSmile!

Request an Appointment

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Jessica’s Impressions Smile Journey

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Jessica's Impressions Smile Journey

Thinking about straightening your smile with Impressions clear aligners? Hear from a real Impressions patient.

Jessica is an Appalachian State student that looked to Impressions to realign her teeth after failing to wear her retainers after braces, as many of us do. Jessica wanted a quick smile transformation and did NOT want braces again! After her trip to see the team at Blue Ridge Orthodontics, they agreed that Impressions treatment was the perfect fit for her smile goals. 

Keep reading to learn more about Jessica’s steps to a straighter smile with Impressions. (She might even answer some of your questions)

 

WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO TAKE ANOTHER STEP TO A STRAIGHTER SMILE?

Jessica: I had braces when I was younger but I didn’t wear my retainers like I was supposed to so my teeth started overlapping again. It’s important to me to straighten my smile because it’s part of what makes a good first impression. I wanted to be confident in my smile and be able to feel good about the way my smile looked in pictures.

Jessica was fully expecting the BRO doctors to tell her that she needed braces again and she was dreading having to go through that whole process while in college! Feeling that it would make her insecure around her peers, Jessica hoped that there would be a more invisible option for her. When the BRO doctors told her about their at-home clear aligner treatment, Impressions, Jessica was elated, “I was so glad when they said I could get impressions because they are invisible and no one would notice I had them.“ 

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE IMPRESSIONS OVER OTHER AT HOME CLEAR ALIGNER COMPANIES?

Jessica trusted her doctors at BRO and their recommendation of Impressions. She liked that she knew and trusted the doctors and had a team of experts she could reach out to with questions. Those benefits made Impressions a much better option than other at-home clear aligner treatments.

 

WHY DO YOU LIKE AT-HOME TREATMENT?

Jessica: I have really been enjoying the at-home treatment because with COVID-19 making things like in-person treatment and appointments more difficult, I don’t have to worry about any of that. I have everything I need at home and the instruction guide has helped me know how to take care of my trays and it’s been a super easy process. 

The ease of the Impressions process went above and beyond Jessica’s expectations. When she received her Impressions box she was delighted to see multiple trays along with other fun things like the cleaning crystals and aligner case.

HOW DID YOU FIND THE ADJUSTMENT OF WEARING AND MAINTAINING YOUR ALIGNERS? 

Jessica: Maintaining the aligners is super easy because the cleaning crystals are provided in the box and then I just brush the aligners when I brush my teeth. All of the aligners fit really well and I’m always excited to get to wear a new aligner. 

Wearing aligners can sometimes be uncomfortable at first while your teeth and mouth get used to them. Taking Tylenol or Ibuprofen at the start of your treatment and eating and drinking items that are cold can help to ease discomfort. 

Impressions Tools

WHAT WOULD YOU TELL OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE THINKING ABOUT STRAIGHTENING THEIR SMILE?

Jessica: I would tell anyone who is thinking about straightening their smile to go for it! Having a straight smile and pretty teeth are such a payoff. I would recommend getting impressions to anyone but especially people like me who didn’t necessarily want the braces look. The Impressions journey for me so far has been a breeze. It’s super simple and easy and fun, and it has all the same outcomes as getting braces. 

 

At the time of writing this, Jess is six weeks into her treatment and as you see from her answers above she is loving it! Impressions is a great treatment option for you if you want to transform your smile discreetly and without the hassle of regular appointments. Whether you’re a busy college student or stay-at-home mom, Impressions doesn’t get in the way.

Find out if Impressions is right for you. Schedule a consultation now, get your aligners in 6-8 weeks! You deserve a smile you feel confident in.

Choose Impressions to help you make the smile of your dreams come true.

xx Your Impressions Family

 

 

 

Fill out the form below to start your journey to your #ImpressionSmile!

Request a Virtual Appt

 

 

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Local Asheville Gift Guide | 2020

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A gift guide packed full of Asheville local spots that will thrill the Instagram Influencer, DIY-er, dog lover, greenie girl, and self-care queen on your gifting list!

With the Holiday’s hastily approaching, we’re all thinking about our holiday shopping this year. This year is an odd one and it’s making shopping even more challenging than normal! Big box stores have been relied on more than ever this year due to the convenience of fast shipping and safety, but it’s important to remember our local businesses. No one understands better than small business owners the circumstances we are all under this year and you best believe they’re trying their best to make shopping with them as convenient and safe as possible.

To help spread some local holiday cheer, we have put together a guide of 5 local Asheville businesses that would make GREAT gifting destinations. 

FOR THE INSTAGRAM MODEL

Nest Boutique + DIY Studio

Nest is a lifestyle boutique featuring inclusively sized Women’s clothing, exceptional home decor, and more fun gifting items than you’ve ever laid your eyes on! The women of Nest describe, “Walking into Nest, you’ll immediately get the sense of our eclectic + feminine design; warmth married with an essence of chic gives you all the feels that we love!“ 

  • Vidalia Vogue Mask + Gold Mask Chain
    Mask it up in style with a locally handmade mask and mask chain so you never lose it! These fabric masks come in two sizes and NINE different patterns ranging from tie-dye to all types of animal print!

  • Little Words Project Bracelet
    These 90’s throwback friendship bracelets are sure to make a twinkle in your girlfriend’s eye. “Choose from words like ‘strength,’ breathe,’ believe,’ and ‘hope’ to give you inspiration before passing it on to someone who needs it more.” With 55 different phrases and 4 different color-ways, there’s something for every friendship. 

 

Specials | 35% OFF on Black Friday + spend $200, get a free mask and mask chain! 

Located in Biltmore Village, on Lexington Ave, and 24/7 from the comfort of your home at StyleTheNest.com. 10% of their sales are dedicated to monthly charities who focus on empowering women locally and globally, so you know your money is going to a good place. Follow these amazing women on Instagram @nestavl for more! 

FOR THE DIY-ER

Designed to Dream Shop

Designed to Dream shop is the shop of fiber artist, Taron Teague. Taron makes stunning wall hangings, macrame ornaments, keychains, and more. This year she is releasing 6 new color wristlets, new mini wall hangings, a DIY ornament kit, and a DIY macrame wall hanging kit! These gifts are THE thing to give to that friend that is always making things! 

  • DIY Macrame Wall Hanging Kit
    This Do It Yourself kit comes with everything you need to make your very own macrame wall hanging! The kit includes step by step detailed directions with pictures, pre-cut rope, and a wooden dowel. Perfect for beginners!

  • Macrame Ornaments
    Everything they will need to make 10 cinnamon stick macrame ornaments in 5 different colors! 

Specials | New Macrame plant holders will be on special this week for Black Friday! Check out their Instagram for more info on specials! 

Shop Designed to dream shop on Instagram or online.

FOR THE DOG LOVER

Botanical Bones

Botanical Bones is a family business thoughtfully making superfood + adaptogenic dog treats right here in Asheville, NC. The dog treats you will find here are no normal sticky treat, these are human-grade, healthy ingredients that dogs love + superfoods and adaptogens to promote wellness.

  • Calming Treats
    Have a friend with a dog that’s just a little full on or skittish? These treats are made to mellow out that pup. Ashwagandha and lemon balm are known to reduce stress levels and help animals find their inner calm.

  • Wellness Treats
    These tasty peanut butter treats promote longevity. Super tasty superfood treats to help the pup stay healthy and feel their best. This blend is all about supporting the immune system with reishi for cancer prevention, turmeric for inflammation, and blueberry for antioxidants. 

Specials | 30% OFF online with code “Thankful30” 11/26-11/29. Check back here or on their Instagram for December deals! 

Shop these healthy pup treats and more on their Instagram or online.

FOR THE EARTH LOVER

Ware AVL

Have a friend who likes to be conscious of their impact on the earth? Ware is the place to go to make a change in daily life. This store is chuck full of things you need to make everyday living sustainable and more earth-friendly. Perhaps most notably, they have a collection of personal and home care items in bulk so that you can refill your own containers as needed! There’s no guilt to gift-giving from this eco-conscious boutique. Gift the seeds of a sustainable household from Ware. 

  • Winter Skin Salve
    This isn’t an ordinary body butter. It’s a rich, dense, and highly concentrated moisturizer that is packed full of antioxidants and essential fatty acids that your skin needs to repel free radicals and create a protective barrier to keep moisture in. This wonder balm comes in two scents; Refresh (Eucalyptus & Peppermint) and Serene (Rosewood, Lavender & Grapefruit).

  • Six Season Veggie Cookbook
    This book is organized by veggie type and then further broken down into six seasons. It provides endless culinary inspiration for eating locally and seasonally. This is a great gift for your veggie eaters, looking for inspiration in the kitchen.

  • Bulk Household Refills
    This is a great thing maybe to mention in a card! One of the best parts of Ware is their bulk section of detergents for things from your hair to your dishes. Remind them to bring their own containers and go crazy in the refill section! 

Specials | Clearance sales in the store through Sunday 11.29
Discount codes will be sent to the lucky ones on their email list on Monday for Cyber Monday. Click here, to get on their email list.

Shop their online shop, browse their Instagram, or visit in-store Sun-Thu: 11-6 | Fri & Sat: 11-7.

FOR THE SELF-CARE QUEEN

Garden Party AVL

Garden party is the shop for your nature-loving, hippie friend. Specializing in everyday wellness items including, CBD, hemp, meditation, and herbs. Everything they need to chiiiiiiiill out. Treat a friend (or yourself) to some mind, body, and soul love.

  • Everyday Oil
    Everyday Oil is uniquely balancing, hydrating, cleansing, and nourishing. Whether you’re using it in your hair or on your face as a cleanser and moisturizer, this product is super versatile.

  • Muse Loose Blend Tea
    Like a breath of fresh, mind-opening air, this aromatic mix of jasmine florets, peppermint, and raspberry leaf clears mental clutter and replaces it with renewed imagination. All BARBARI Herbal Blends are made with organic, food-grade herbs in Portland, Oregon.

Specials | Black Friday Deals will be announced Wednesday on their Instagram. Orders over $25 qualify for Free Shipping or local Asheville (city) delivery. Shop online now.

Impressions is an Asheville local business bringing at-home clear aligner care to our area for the first time! Impressions care is facilitated by our team of doctors at Blue Ridge Orthodontics, right at your convenience. Get yourself the gift that will keep on giving every time you smile.

 

Find out if Impressions is right for you. Schedule a consultation now, get your aligners in 6-8 weeks!

Choose Impressions to help you make the smile of your dreams come true.

xx Your Impressions Family

 

 

 

Fill out the form below to start your journey to your #ImpressionSmile!

Request a Virtual Appt

 

 

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A Perfect Smile for a Perfect Virtual Date

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Virtual dating is new to us all and sometimes it can be a little awkward. You’re both staring at a digital screen and hoping to feel something. Well, with a bright, straight smile you’ll be sure to make a great first impression. And since you likely won’t meet in person for a while, this is a great time to start your Impressions journey! 

One of the most important things we’ve learned in quarantine is how to make anything fun! So, pretend you’re a kid again! How can you make a virtual date fun?! We have six great ideas to get you started:

1. Have a dress-up date night!

Just because you’re at home and can wear your pajamas, doesn’t mean you should. Date night, whether virtual or not, is a great excuse to get dolled up. Get your date to dress up, too! You could even pick a theme to make it even more fun!

2. Pick a recipe to cook together

Now, we know you can’t actually cook a meal together, but you could pick a recipe to make at the same time while on video chat! Bonus points if you dress up to match the culture of the cuisine you’re cooking! This is a great way to still feel like you’re together. You even get to sit down and have a dinner date afterward.

Turn up the jazz, scroll through Pinterest, and get to cookin’, good lookin’.

3. Start a new TV series

You can pick a TV series, or movie to start watching together on facetime dates! It’s best to have something you’re both interested in, but you will have to solemnly swear to not watch it without the other! That just wouldn’t be fair. Netflix Party is a great thing to use to ensure you’re both watching the movie in-sync! After installing, just click the NP icon in the corner of the player and share the URL with your date. So fun!

4. Play a drinking game to a fun movie – if you drink

Here’s a link to some drinking games for movies on Netflix. This is a fun way to let loose with your partner and have some fun! Make sure to rotate water into the game – and to brush afterward!

5. Play a trivia game!

Test your knowledge compatibility with a trivia game! It’s always interesting to see what random knowledge you’ve obtained! It’s a great way to get to know someone else and their interests too. Grab your favorite snacks and have a little friendly competition.

6. Take turns playing music!

This is a super fun way to get to know the other person and an opportunity to show off your sick dance moves! Not a dancer? That’s okay, you could pair this as background noise to any of the other things we’ve suggested too! 

Virtual dates don’t have to be boring! With these suggestions for things to do, it should be almost as fun as an in-person date. Start Impressions at-home treatment now so that when you meet your partner face-to-face, you already have a smile that screams confidence! 

Find out if Impressions is right for you. Schedule a consultation now, get your aligners in 6-8 weeks!

Choose Impressions to help you make the smile of your dreams come true.

xx Your Impressions Family

 

 

 

Fill out the form below to start your journey to your #ImpressionSmile!

Request a Virtual Appt

 

 

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4 Healthy Recipes that are Easy on your Teeth

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4 Healthy Recipes that are Easy on your Teeth

We know the first few trays can cause some discomfort, don’t worry though, we’re here with four recipes that are easy to chew – plus, they’re good for your teeth!

Did you know that the health of your teeth can be impacted by what you eat? Most of us know that coffee, tea, and other acidic things aren’t the best and that calcium is on the good side. Well, keep reading to know more about what your teeth crave, and hopefully we can give you some inspiration for a meal you both can agree on!

Teeth Healthy Foods

Calcium helps harden your enamel and strengthen your jaw!
Find me in: milk, cheese, yogurt, broccoli, and salmon.

Vitamin D helps the body absorb our friend’s calcium while boosting bone density!
Your body naturally makes Vitamin D when you’re exposed to the sun, but you can also find me in fatty fish, canned tuna, and portobello mushrooms.

Phosphorus is like calcium’s sidekick in helping build strong bones and teeth.
Luckily phosphorus is found in a large variety of foods! Seafood, beef, pork, and cheese are great places to get your phosphorus up. Or try plant-based foods like soybeans, lentils, and pumpkin seeds.

Vitamin K is the shield that protects from substances breaking down bone.
The secret to vitamin K is kept in leafy greens like kale, collards, and spinach.

Vitamin C helps to strengthen your gums and other soft tissue. It can protect against gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease, and can prevent your teeth from loosening.
Find Vitamin C in citrus fruits, potatoes, and leafy greens.

Vitamin A prevents dry mouth and helps your mouth heal quickly.
Get your fill of vitamin A from fish, egg yolks, and liver. You can also find it in leafy green vegetables like spinach, kale, and collard greens, or in orange-colored fruits and oranges: think apricots, cantaloupe, pumpkin, carrots, and sweet potatoes. These fruits and veggies contain high levels of beta-carotene, which your body converts into vitamin A.

Healthy MuffinsMorning Muffins 

Start your morning off right by supplying your body and teeth with their fill of vitamins and minerals, like omega-3s, vitamin A, and fiber. These muffins are a delicious but healthy cross between a cinnamon apple muffin and carrot cake, featuring whole grains, fruit, carrots, walnuts, and warm spices.

12 muffins  —  Prep Time: 15 mins.  –  Cook Time: 20 mins.

Ingredients:

  • 1 and 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
  • 1 apple, shredded
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups grated carrot (about 3 medium)
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • 1/2 cup flaked coconut
  • 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

Steps:

  1. Line a muffin tin with paper liners and set aside. Preheat oven to 400 degrees (F).
  2. In a large bowl add the flours, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and salt; whisk well to combine. Add in the applesauce, oil, apple, and vanilla; whisk just until combined. Fold in the carrot, raisins, coconut, and walnuts; stir until ingredients are combined. Divide batter evenly among prepared muffin cups.
  3. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350 degrees and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean (or with just a few crumbs attached). Cool muffins in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled.

Teeth Healthy Chicken SaladGreek Yogurt Chicken Salad 

Whip up some chicken salad for lunch. This tooth-healthy chicken salad is made with dried cranberries, celery, almonds, chicken, and Greek yogurt providing sweetness, fiber, healthy fat, protein, and calcium. This quick + easy recipe is full of flavor, vitamins and it’s not too hard on your teeth!

5 servings — Prep Time: 15 mins.

 

Ingredients:

  • 2 to 2 1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries, craisins, or other dried fruit
  • 1/4 cup (about 1 stalk) celery, diced
  • 1/4 cup red or white onion, diced
  • 1/4 cup chopped almonds or pecans
  • 6 ounces (about 3/4 cup) plain nonfat Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

  1. Bake or boil chicken ahead of time. You can also just buy a rotisserie chicken! 
  2. Shred or chop chicken. 
  3. In a medium-size bowl combine chicken, dried cranberries, celery, onion, and chopped almonds.
  4. Stir in Greek yogurt, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  5. Wrap the salad in lettuce wraps or a tortilla.
  6. Store the salad in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.

Black Bean Cheese Quesadillas 

For a quick and hearty lunch, these black bean and cheese quesadillas with salsa and cumin are perfect. The black beans, cheese, and sour cream on the top provides that protein and calcium you need for strong teeth!

4 servings —  Prep Time: 15 minutes  –  Cook time: 6 minutes

 

 

Ingredients:

  • 2 cans Black Beans
  • 1 1/2 cups salsa, mild or spicy
  •  1 teaspoon ground cumin
  •  2 cups shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese mix
  •  8 (8-inch) flour tortillas
  •  1/3 cup sour cream

Steps:

  1. Empty one can of beans into a bowl and mash gently with a potato masher or the back of a fork. Mix in the remaining can of whole beans, 1 cup of salsa, and cumin.
  2. Spread mixture evenly on 4 tortillas; top each with cheese. Cover with remaining tortillas.
  3. Heat a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Cook quesadillas 2-3 minutes per side.
  4. Cut into wedges and serve with remaining salsa and sour cream on the side for dipping.

Sore Teeth Friendly Food

Yummy Banana Ice-Cream

A great quick fix for a sweet dessert that will make you forget about your achy teeth is frozen banana ice cream! The bonus here is that there’s no added sugar! You could top your banana cream with healthy add-ins like peanut butter, strawberries, or dark chocolate.

2 serving —  Prep Time: 2 hours


Ingredients:

1 large ripe banana

Steps:

  1. Peel and chop your ripe banana into small pieces.
  2. Put the bananas in an air-tight freezer-safe container and place it into the freezer until frozen solid. This will take at least 2 hours, but you can do this overnight. 
  3. Transfer the frozen banana pieces into a small food processor or high-speed blender. Pulse to break the banana pieces up. 
  4. As the banana pieces are starting to turn into a crumbed or smashed texture, switch to blending. Make sure to scrape the edges of the blender/food processor.
  5. Blend to really smooth it out to a nice creamy texture. If you want to add add-ins, this is the time to do so. 
  6. Freeze again to a normal ice cream texture or eat it soft as is!

Remember to take your aligners out before chowing down and brush those teeth before replacing the aligners! Taking care in these steps really helps to make sure you get the most out of your time wearing your aligners. 

 

xx Your Impressions Family

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