It’s normal to worry about new experiences when you have new braces! After all, braces take a lot of getting used to. Many of our patients wonder, can you celebrate Thanksgiving with braces? Absolutely! Let’s talk about the best holiday foods for braces so you can enjoy the holiday safely.
Holiday Foods to Avoid
Before we talk about the best holiday foods for braces, let’s talk about the holiday foods you should avoid when you have braces.
It’s typically recommended that you avoid any foods that are sticky, crunchy, hard, chewy, or require that you bite directly into them (like corn on the cob or a candy apple). This is because eating these foods might damage your braces by breaking a bracket or pulling a wire loose. Damage to your braces can be frustrating and uncomfortable, and if it’s not addressed as soon as possible, it also can lead to delays in your treatment.
Are you feeling discouraged about the foods you might miss out on this holiday season due to your braces? Take heart! There are so many more foods that you can still enjoy — you might even discover your new favorite food as you try new things!
Safer Holiday Foods for Braces
Let’s talk about the best holiday foods for braces so that you can enjoy the festivities without having to worry about damaging your braces. Soft foods like mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, candied yams, and cooked veggies or fruit are all excellent choices. Bread torn into bite-sized pieces can also be a great choice. Cranberry sauce, puddings, and pumpkin or cream pies are wonderful for dessert.
Holiday Braces Care
Making sure that your food choices are safe for your braces is just one important part of keeping your braces in top shape throughout the holidays. It’s also important to take good care of your teeth and braces by brushing after each meal and flossing daily to help ensure that food debris and plaque don’t build up and cause any problems.
Having braces during the holidays might take some getting used to, but just think about how amazing it will feel when all your hard work pays off and you see your new smile when you get your braces off!
Call our Indianapolis, IN, orthodontics office, to make an appointment with a dentist who may be able to help you find out more about this topic, and improve your oral health.