If someone in your family has braces, they may be worried about missing out on holiday meals and seasonal treats. The good news is that most of the traditional foods served at Thanksgiving will still be safe to enjoy. That said, you’ll give your orthodontist in Canfield an extra reason to say “Thanks” if you follow these tips for avoiding orthodontic injuries.
Thanksgiving Foods to Avoid with Braces
As you were probably told when first getting braces, there are many kinds of food that need to be avoided. In general, people who wear braces should stay away from anything hard, crunchy or sticky. Around Thanksgiving, this is likely to include the following:
- Popcorn: Biting down on hard kernels can damage brackets and wires. There’s also a risk of the popcorn getting stuck in your braces.
- Nuts: Chewing on peanuts, almonds and walnuts might break your braces.
- Caramel: Sticky foods could pull your brackets off your teeth. Caramel apples are especially off-limits since they’re also crunchy.
- Corn on the Cob: Corn by itself is okay to eat when it’s not on the cob; if that’s how it’s served, scrape it off with a knife first.
- Crunchy Vegetables: Raw carrots and other crunchy vegetables are good for your body, but they’re not so good for braces.
Thanksgiving Foods That are Safe for Braces
As long as the food is prepared a certain way, people with braces should still be able to safely eat most of what’s served at Thanksgiving. This includes:
- Ham and Turkey: It’s not Thanksgiving without the main course! Any kind of meat served for dinner should be safe if it’s not on the bone and has been cut into smaller pieces first.
- Stuffing: Soft foods like stuffing shouldn’t cause you any problems with your braces.
- Sweet Potatoes and Mashed Potatoes: If the potatoes aren’t prepared in a way that leaves them too hard, you can eat them without damaging your braces.
- Cooked Vegetables: While crunchy vegetables might pose a problem, soft vegetables that have been cooked will always be a safe option.
- Casseroles: Make sure the casserole doesn’t contain anything crunchy first.
- Certain Desserts: While there are hard, sticky or crunchy desserts that you’ll need to avoid, there are plenty of Thanksgiving treats – such as pumpkin pie, soft cookies, or brownies without nuts – that can make for a braces-friendly dessert. (Just be sure not too eat too much; you still need to worry about cavities, after all!)
As you can see, there’s no reason why wearing braces in Canfield should prevent you from having a great meal at Thanksgiving. As long as you take the right precautions, you can look forward to adding “a successful orthodontic treatment and a beautiful smile” to the list of things you’re thankful for!
About the Author
After a decade of orthodontic experience, Dr. Marissa Mikolich still enjoy helping patients obtain the flawless, healthier smiles they’ve always wanted. From traditional braces to clear/ceramic braces and Invisalign, she has plenty of orthodontic options for children, teens and adults alike. To schedule an appointment at her practice, Mikolich Orthodontics, visit her website or call (330) 967-4110.