The holidays are everyone’s favorite time of year, and food is one of the biggest reasons why. If you have braces, it might feel like you won’t be able to enjoy that food to the fullest. Certainly, there are some holiday classics that you probably won’t be able to eat with your braces—or not to the same extent as before—but there are still many ways to celebrate the holidays with your favorite foods, even if you’re getting orthodontic treatment. Here are just a few.
Choose Soft Foods
While some holiday staples may be off the table, there are plenty of delicious dishes that you’ll be able to enjoy. Softer meats, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and creamy casseroles are all delicious and festive holiday favorites that should be fine to eat with braces. If you want to indulge in tougher meats, you can also try slathering them in gravy. It’s on every table and works well to make certain foods easier to eat for people with braces. Not to mention, it tastes great!
Chew Slowly
Some holiday foods aren’t problematic in themselves but have surprises in store for people who aren’t cautious. Tender chicken, for example, is fine for people with braces, but their bones certainly are not. If you’re overeager at the dinner table, biting into one of those bones can cause you to pop a bracket or, worse, chip a tooth.
Get a Travel Dental Kit
One of the most important things when it comes to protecting your braces over the holidays is to keep up with your dental hygiene routine. Even if you dip into some foods that you probably shouldn’t, so long as you clean your teeth afterward, you can avoid a lot of the damage. That said, breaking away from the festivities to brush after every meal isn’t the easiest thing in the world. Getting a travel dental kit can make that significantly easier. These contain everything you need to take care of your braces—a toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, mouthwash, and even dental wax—in a package convenient enough to carry with you to dinner.
Even if you have braces, there are plenty of ways to enjoy dinner over the holiday season. Keep these tips in mind, and you should be able to have tasty food and straight teeth.
About Our Practice
Buckhead Orthodontics, we want you to know that a perfect smile is more than just a dream. Our expert dental team is comfortable handling patients of all ages and guiding them toward immaculate oral health. And as a family-owned and operated business, we make visiting our office feel like coming home. If you have any questions about taking care of your braces over the holiday season, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (404) 697-7497.