Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means it’s almost time to sit around with family and fill up your plate with mounds of delicious food. But if you have braces, you might be a bit concerned about just how well your dental appliance will fare against all of the mouthwatering options presented to you. You definitely don’t want to deal with a braces malfunction during the holidays! We’ve put together a list of the best Thanksgiving foods to eat when you have braces (as well as a few that you should stay away from).
Braces-Friendly Thanksgiving Foods
There are plenty of Thanksgiving foods that aren’t problematic with braces:
Mashed Potatoes — Soft foods like mashed potatoes are ideal.
Turkey & Ham — Just cut the meat into smaller, bite-size pieces and avoid eating it off the bone.
Gravy & Cranberry Sauce — No concerns of these delicious accompaniments getting stuck in your braces, but do be sure to drink plenty of water with your cranberry sauce due to its acidity, which can increase your risk of enamel erosion.
Stuffing — As long as there’s nothing super crunchy in your family’s stuffing recipe, you shouldn’t have any issues here.
Deviled Eggs — Since deviled eggs are a soft food, they won’t cause a fuss with your braces.
Rolls & Muffins — Unless your bread options have some added nuts, you should be in the clear.
Pumpkin Pie & Cheesecake — These sweet desserts are smooth and creamy, making them easy to eat with braces.
Thanksgiving Foods to Avoid
There are some things that you want to be wary of on your Thanksgiving menu. These are better to avoid so you don’t damage your braces:
Corn on the Cob — Rather than eating corn on the cob, a safer choice would be to cut off the kernels.
Raw Carrots — Biting into a hard, raw carrot could have a negative effect on your braces. Reach for softer veggies, such as green beans, carrots that have been sautéed, and baked sweet potatoes.
Nuts — Avoid snacking on nuts before the main spread is ready and choose a different dessert than a sticky pecan pie.
Chips — Chips may be difficult to resist but eating this crunchy snack can sometimes mess up your braces.
Caramel Desserts — Sticky caramel can easily get stuck in and around your braces.
We Wish You a Happy Thanksgiving!
As you can see, you can still enjoy plenty of tasty foods during your Thanksgiving feast, even while wearing braces. If you can, floss your teeth after your meal to help prevent those food particles from getting lodged in there and feeding your oral bacteria. However, avoid brushing for at least 30-60 minutes after eating to give your enamel time to settle and re-harden. If you need more help making dental decisions while wearing braces, contact our Stroope Orthodontics team today!
