The holiday season is here again, and so are those wonderful holiday treats! But holiday food for kids with braces can be tricky and when you wear braces, many of the seasonal favorites are on the “naughty” list – off limits – until your braces come off and you’re ready to reveal that beautiful smile.
When deciding which holiday foods are okay to eat with braces and which are not, think back to the basic rule of food with braces: If it’s sticky, chewy, or hard, it’s not good for your braces. Yes, that can be bummer when you see those types of food on a holiday spread. (Remember, eyes on the prize – that smile you’ve always wanted is right around the corner.) But don’t despair – there are plenty of tasty alternatives that are perfectly fine for your braces. We’ve put together a collection of the foods on the “Naughty” and “Nice” orthodontics list to help you make smart choices this holiday season.
Foods on the Naughty List
- Candy canes and other hard candies
- Peanut brittle
- Pecan pie
- Nuts
- Gingerbread or other crispy/crunchy cookies
- Taffy
- Caramel
- Popcorn
- Raw vegetables, such as carrots or other hard-to-bite veggies
Foods on the Nice List
- Turkey and ham (make sure to cut it into small, manageable bites)
- Corn (off the cob)
- Potatoes
- Stuffing (if it doesn’t have nuts or other crunchy ingredients)
- Green beans, peas, and other soft, cooked vegetables
- Casseroles (as long as they don’t contain crunchy or hard ingredients)
- Soft breads
- Pumpkin pie
- Cheese and other milk/dairy products
- Soft desserts like gelatin, ice cream, cake, smoothies, and milkshakes
- Soft cookies and candy (the non-sticky kind without nuts)
- Hot cocoa and eggnog
Holiday Tips for Braces Wearers
With all festivities happening this time of year, it might be easy to forget your daily brushing and flossing routine. Don’t let that happen! Braces create lots of spaces where food particles can accumulate. Enjoy those holiday treats, but brush and floss right after eating. Be sure you take the extra time to thoroughly brush around the brackets and underneath the wires, and use a floss threader if needed when flossing. If you can’t brush right away, drink plenty of water to help wash away the food particles.
If you’re traveling this holiday, don’t forget to pack a care kit for your braces. It should include these essentials:
- Braces wax – Dental wax is a must-have for braces; you don’t want to be without it! Your braces may rub against and irritate your cheek, lips, or gums. The best way to treat this is by applying a little dental wax to your braces. This will protect the irritated area, help it heal, and prevent further discomfort.
- Travel toothbrush and toothpaste – It’s especially important you’re wearing braces to brush your teeth! Your braces create more surfaces where bacteria can hide. Having a toothbrush and toothpaste handy allows you to brush after every meal and snack.
- Pocket mirror – You’ll be able to see if there is any food left behind after brushing.
- Floss/dental pick – The best way to floss your teeth with braces is to use an orthodontic floss threader to thread the floss underneath the wire. You can also use a dental pick to dislodge food from under the hooks and between brackets.
- Orthodontic rubber bands – If wearing rubber bands is part of your orthodontic treatment, make sure your kit contains plenty of extras for after lunch or snacks.
Happy Holidays from Dr. Andy and Our Team!
We hope you and your family have a wonderful, safe holiday season and that the new year brings you plenty of reasons to smile!
If you’re thinking about braces, we’re here to answer your questions – schedule a free consultation! Contact us online or call 440-842-8015.
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