Eating a big meal like a Thanksgiving dinner is often challenging for kids who wear braces, as many well-loved dishes can get stuck and be difficult to clean out. Although some holiday favorites are perfectly safe and stress-free to eat, it can help to know which ones to avoid and how children can enjoy the festivities without worry. Here are a few tips to share with your kids this season.

How Kids With Braces Can Enjoy a Thanksgiving Meal

1. Cutting Meat into Bite-Sized Pieces

Turkey, chicken, ham, and other meats are acceptable for kids with braces to eat — but only if they’re cut off the bone and into small, easy-to-chew pieces. Otherwise, bones will damage the appliance’s brackets and wires, while larger chunks leave shreds of meat stuck between the teeth. Other main dishes and sides that are easy to consume include casseroles, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and sauces.

2. Avoiding Sticky, Crunchy, or Raw Foods

Certain foods impact the condition of your child’s braces. Therefore, encourage them to avoid nuts, popcorn, and hard or chewy sweets like caramel. 

They should also limit their consumption of raw fruits and vegetables, like broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, and apples, to prevent damage to the braces. Biting into corn on the cob, for example, can cause wires and brackets to bend or break, requiring prompt repairs. Cooked or steamed vegetables or corn stripped off the cob are good alternatives.

3. Brushing After Eating

After every meal, kids who wear braces should brush their teeth to minimize the risks of tooth decay and oral bacteria growth. This practice is particularly important after a Thanksgiving dinner, as kids will likely want to indulge in festive sweet treats like pumpkin or sweet potato pie. Smooth-textured desserts like these should be safe to eat, provided they don’t contain nuts, pieces of hard candy, or other tough-to-chew foods.

If your child could use a checkup after Thanksgiving to ensure their braces are still in good condition, visit Carolyn B. Crowell, DMD, & Associates in Avon, OH. This pediatric dentist offers a comfortable, welcoming environment to make young patients feel at ease while they carry out a full range of orthodontic care services. Call (440) 934-0149 to book an appointment today, and visit the website for more information on how your kid can care for their braces.