You Can Still Enjoy Thanksgiving While Wearing Braces

Thanksgiving Meal Tips for Orthodontic Patients

Thanksgiving is a time for friends, family, and, most importantly, delicious food. But if you're currently wearing braces, it may seem like your options are limited. Fear not! There are still plenty of yummy dishes you can enjoy without compromising the effectiveness of your braces.

Here are some tips to ensure that you can still enjoy all the deliciousness of the holiday feast while keeping your braces intact.

Thanksgiving Foods That Are Braces-Safe

Mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, rolls, and turkey are all braces-friendly options. Just be sure to cut any large chunks of meat into smaller bites before digging in.

As for dessert, pies are a safe choice as long as you avoid biting into any crust pieces or hard toppings like nuts.

Thanksgiving Foods to Avoid

On the other hand, some Thanksgiving favorites should be avoided while wearing braces. Corn on the cob is a no-go, as well as crunchy vegetables like carrots and celery. It's also important to steer clear of sticky or chewy foods like caramel or gummy candies. These foods can potentially damage braces or get stuck in wires and brackets.

Orthodontic Emergency Over the Holidays? We've Got You Covered

Overall, braces shouldn't stop you from enjoying the holiday festivities. By following these tips and using a little bit of caution, you can still have a delicious and braces-friendly Thanksgiving meal. However — a broken bracket can happen at any time. Don't worry if you have an orthodontic emergency over Thanksgiving; just make sure to contact your orthodontist as soon as possible. In the meantime, stick to soft foods and avoid anything that may further aggravate the issue.

From our family at LVL Orthodontics, Happy Thanksgiving! If you're in need of orthodontic care, contact us today by calling (469) 455-1355 or filling out our form online!