Thanksgiving With Braces

If you’ve recently started your braces journey, it can be an adjustment knowing which foods you can and cannot eat. Fortunately, the majority of traditional Thanksgiving foods are braces-safe and are great to eat even if you’ve just gotten your braces and are a little sore! Below we’ve listed all the foods you can eat at Thanksgiving with braces. 

Appetizers to Eat or Avoid With Braces

Gatherings often start long before the turkey is done, which means appetizers and snacks are brought out to keep stomachs from growling. 

Appetizers to avoid – crunchy raw vegetables, chips, popcorn, and nuts 

Appetizers to enjoy – cheese chunks or slices, salami or pepperoni slices, soft dips with bread, or meatballs

Thanksgiving Dinner

If you have braces, you’re in luck! This meal is one of the best for those with braces because there are so many soft foods.

Salads – Leafy green salads are great without the nuts or croutons. Fruit salads with crunchy apples or nuts should probably wait until your braces-free Thanksgiving. 

Turkey or ham – Either of these options are great to eat with braces as they are cut in smaller pieces and not eaten off the bone. Sorry, that does mean no turkey legs this year. 

Stuffing – Stuffing is generally soft, which makes it a go in our book! Our only suggestion would be to steer clear of the outside edges if they become crunchy in the oven. 

Vegetables – This may or may not be a good thing in your eyes, but eat as many cooked vegetables as you’d like. This includes sweet potato casserole, without nuts, and mashed potatoes and gravy. 

Don’t Forget Dessert! 

Do you love pumpkin pie? You’re in luck! It’s the perfect dessert to eat with braces. If you prefer a pecan pie, you may have to keep looking this year – or just eat the sweet filling and pass the pecans on to someone else. Most other pies, including cream or fruit, are just fine! 

Thanksgiving With Braces

As with all other meals, it’s important to remember to brush and floss after you’re done with your Thanksgiving meal to help remove any food that may be stuck in your braces. 

If you do find yourself with a broken bracket, we’ll be happy to help! Give our office a call and we’ll schedule a visit.