The holidays are filled with delicious dishes, festive treats, and family-friendly feasts – but if you’re sporting braces this Christmas, those delicacies may not be the best choice. Your orthodontist has asked that you keep certain foods to a minimum while your braces are in place to avoid unnecessary damage. Don’t worry; there is still plenty of tasty food to enjoy during the holiday season, even with braces on! Here is a comprehensive list of some of the yummy bite-sized snacks and meals you should try and an equally important selection of what NOT to eat during these upcoming celebrations.
Food Items To Avoid
1. Hard Candies
Hard candies can be sticky, get stuck in your braces, and cause damage. It’s best to avoid hard candies altogether while you’re wearing braces.
2. Crushed Ice
Chewing on crushed ice can damage your brackets, so staying away from this popular holiday treat is essential.
3. Christmas Pudding
Traditional Christmas pudding is usually full of dried fruits and nuts, which can get stuck between your teeth, brackets, and wires. This type of food should be avoided while you’re wearing braces.
4. Gingerbread Cookies
Gingerbread cookies are a great treat during the holiday season, but they can be hard on your braces if you don’t take the time to enjoy them properly. Be sure to soft-bake your gingerbread cookies for a softer texture that won’t damage your brackets or wires.
5. Nuts & Caramel Apples
Nuts and caramel apples are two more treats that should be avoided if you wear braces due to their hard crunchiness and stickiness.
Food Items You Can Enjoy With Braces
There are still plenty of delicious foods that you can enjoy while wearing braces over the holidays! Here are some examples:
1. Dairy
Soft cheeses like brie and ricotta cheese, yogurt, milkshakes, cottage cheese, and even ice cream (in moderation)!
2. Soft Grains
Mashed potatoes, oatmeal, pancakes, French toast, and other items can also be enjoyed.
3. Fruits
Applesauce (without chunks), bananas, and ripe peaches/nectarines are best for people who wear braces.
4. Hot Chocolates & Soft Baked Goods
Hot chocolate without marshmallows or other add-ins is perfectly safe for those with braces! Soft-baked muffins or scones are also ok as long as they don’t contain any nuts or dried fruits that could get stuck in your brackets or wires!
5. Casseroles & Soups
Creamy soups like tomato bisque or potato leek soup are safe for those who wear braces! Other casseroles such as egg bake or shepherd’s pie also make great holiday options!
Conclusion
Whether you’re getting ready for a family gathering or just having an intimate dinner at home this holiday season, it’s important to remember that there are still plenty of delicious foods that you can enjoy while wearing braces–as long as you stay away from certain items like hard candies and caramel apples! If you have any questions about what types of food may be safe for your particular orthodontic situation, feel free to book a consultation with us anytime–we’d love to help keep smiles healthy all year round!