With Thanksgiving feasting fast upon us, you may be wondering about which foods are safe to eat with your braces. Special occasions throughout the upcoming holiday season can be especially challenging for patients who are new to wearing braces. Our Oxford NC orthodontist is here to help!
Holiday’s Can Damage Braces, Cautions Oxford NC Orthodontist
Thanksgiving is a time that we look forward to enjoying our favorite holiday foods. However, our Oxford NC orthodontist reminds patients with braces to continue to be careful about what they eat. Nobody wants sad faces in braces at Thanksgiving!
Our orthodontist in Oxford has made a list of holiday foods that you should try to avoid with braces AND some that should be safe for you to enjoy:
#1 – Avoid Hard & Crunchy
According to our knowledgeable Oxford NC orthodontist, biting into hard or crunchy foods can easily damage one or several appliance brackets. While vegetables like broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower are fine to eat if they are cooked, dipping into that raw veggie platter may not be such a good idea. “You should also avoid biting down on hard foods like almonds or walnuts,” adds our Oxford orthodontist.
Skip the Chip!
Snacking on Doritos? Our orthodontist in Oxford knows how difficult it can be to remove jagged pieces of chips once they are firmly lodged in your braces.
#2 – Stuffing – Have at It!
Luckily, many Thanksgiving favorites are soft foods that go well with any orthodontic appliance. Our Oxford NC orthodontist says no worries about delicious, “mushy” foods such as stuffing, cornbread, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie. You can eat corn too, as long as you don’t bite into corn on the cob.
Fear of Missing Out?
Although you may feel that you are missing out on some of your favorite foods at Thanksgiving, remember that it will all be worth it when you finally have the perfect smile you’ve always dreamed of!
#3 – Stick to the Non-Sticky!
Lastly, our Oxford orthodontist – and your braces – will thank you if you keep this important advice in mind: Stay away from caramel! This sticky, gooey candy that adorns many holiday favorites is one of the most destructive foods to get stuck in braces.
Our Oxford NC Orthodontist Wishes You and Yours a Happy, Healthy Thanksgiving!
It’s important that you care for your teeth and appliance throughout the holiday season. Please call 919.383.7423 if you have any concerns about your braces or other orthodontic appliances.
The information provided in this article is not meant to be medical advice and is for educational purposes only. If you would like to learn more about this and other topics related to orthodontics, feel free to contact Wilson Orthodontics, with a convenient orthodontic office near Oxford NC, by clicking here or by calling 919.383.7423.