Prevent Broken Brackets
It’s that time of the year again! Time to gather with friends and family as you fill your home with big smiles, loud laughs, lots of cheer, and tasty treats. The holiday season is full of mouthwatering meals, complete with appetizers, side dishes, and desserts.
If you are celebrating the holidays this year with a new mouth-appliance, you may be questioning which of your favorite dishes are safe to eat. Eating the wrong food could result in a broken bracket or wire, creating an orthodontic emergency.
Braces-Friendly Foods
Typically, softer foods in texture are better for people eating with braces. Here are some braces-friendly foods you can enjoy this holiday season:
Protein
A holiday meal usually comes with some form of protein. While some families may choose to roast turkey, others bake a ham, grill steak, or eat fish. Eating a lean, tender cut of meat is safe to eat with braces. It is also beneficial to cut the meat into smaller, bite-sized pieces before eating it to prevent any damages to your brackets.
Stringy meats tend to be difficult because it is easier for them to get stuck in your braces or between your teeth. Additionally, eating meat right from the bone is incredibly dangerous because you risk popping off one of your brackets. Braces also make it challenging to eat extremely chewy meat because it requires extra gnawing on something tough, which is hard work for your jaws.
Soft Sides
In addition to protein, holiday meals are also chock full of delicious sides. You may find dishes that include potatoes, sweet potatoes, and vegetables. If the vegetables are steamed or roasted, they are most likely soft enough to eat. However, any raw vegetables served on a platter or salad can cause a broken wire or bracket. Similarly, mashed potatoes and sweet potato casseroles are also soft and safe to eat.
Carbohydrates
No meal is complete without a carbohydrate. Whether it be a soft bread roll, some pasta, or another grain, they are all satisfying options and safe to eat with braces. However, if the bread is hard or crunchy, you should avoid adding it to your plate.
Desserts
One of the best parts of the holidays is the delectable desserts. People make cookies, cakes, and other sweet treats to give to others and enjoy after a filling meal. For those that have braces, it is critical only to eat those that are soft. This includes soft-baked cookies, fluffy cakes, ice cream, chocolate candies, muffins, and cupcakes.
Hard candies or treats with tree nuts in them can increase your risk of breaking a wire or a bracket. Nuts are also known to get stuck in between your braces or your teeth. If you are looking to fix your peanut craving, opt for desserts that contain peanut butter or other softer spreads.
Other desserts to avoid include sticky sweets like caramel and taffy. Sticky candies are not braces-friendly because they get easily stuck in your teeth, leading to tooth decay and cavities. Developing cavities during treatment can extend your treatment time and create complications.
Caring For Your Smile
No matter what you put on your holiday plate, it is critical to maintain your braces and oral health. Make sure to brush your teeth after every meal, use a threader to floss your teeth, and an interdental brush to remove any lingering food particles to keep your smile bright.
Outstanding Results at Koch Orthodontics
The holidays should be full of smiles. Whether you have an overbite, underbite, or gaps between your teeth, our team can give you the smile you deserve. At Koch Orthodontics, our patients are our top priority. Our practice is designed for personalized treatment to make your experience as seamless and smooth as possible.
Schedule a complimentary consultation by calling us at (770) 962-9560 or reaching out to us online.