Is this your first holiday season with braces? If so, you may be wondering how exactly to navigate mealtime. After all, the last thing you want is for a broken bracket or loose wire to derail your plans. Don’t worry – there are plenty of holiday recipes that are both delicious and braces-friendly. To learn what they are, read on!
10 Delicious Holiday Foods to Enjoy with Braces
Whether you are reuniting with your whole family this holiday season or enjoying time with a smaller crowd, here are some braces-friendly seasonal staples to fill your plate with:
- Mashed potatoes
- Cooked vegetables, like Brussel sprouts and carrots
- Turkey (off the bone)
- Ham
- Fresh fruit, like cranberries (just make sure there isn’t a pit)
- Eggnog
- Soft cookies
- Soft cheese
- Apple cider
- Cheesecake
Some Important Tips for Eating with Braces
Knowing what you should and shouldn’t eat with braces is an important first step. However, this article wouldn’t be complete without a refresher on how to minimize your risk of an orthodontic emergency while eating. To start, cut up your food into small pieces. From there, make sure there are no hard items on your plate, like a pit or bone. Lastly, eat intentionally. It can be hard while talking to friends and family over a meal, but it will reduce your risk of accidentally biting your tongue or having your brackets rub against your gums incessantly.
How to Care for Your Braces This Holiday Season
From peppermint mochas and spiced eggnog to juicy turkey and perfectly whipped mashed potatoes, your teeth are going to be exposed to lots of seasonal staples over the next few weeks. To ensure you don’t wind up with a cavity or two by the New Year, be sure to implement the following best practices:
- Use the right tools to brush your teeth, like a soft-bristled toothbrush and a water flosser.
- Brush your teeth after each meal.
- Floss daily.
- Visit your dentist for your second checkup and cleaning (if you haven’t already).
- Avoid unhealthy dental habits, like chewing on ice.
- Prioritize your routine adjustment appointments.
Braces are designed to give you the smile of your dreams. While that does require a short-term sacrifice of hard foods, like corn on the cob, you don’t have to miss out on all of your holiday favorites for the sake of your smile. Just stick to the above foods, and you’ll have a delicious, braces-friendly celebration!
About the Practice
Our phenomenal orthodontists at Simply Orthodontics – Holliston want you to achieve your smile goals and enjoy the holiday season. That’s why they offer a comprehensive array of treatments, focus on patient education, and are available to answer any questions you have along the way! So, if you want to learn more about what holiday recipes you can enjoy with braces, need to schedule your next appointment, or want to schedule a consultation to get braces for yourself, don’t hesitate to visit our website or call 508-429-7800.