Thanksgiving dinner is the kick off of the holidays, so you want to breeze through it by avoiding any damage to your braces and other orthodontic appliances.

Luckily, many Thanksgiving dinner standards fall under the braces-friendly category, meaning you may not have to change many (or any) of your Thanksgiving dinner plans!

Main dish

Turkey

What would Thanksgiving be without the turkey? Well, you’re in luck because turkey is a perfectly braces-friendly food. Just make sure to cut the meat off the bone and into small pieces before digging in. (Ham works too if that’s more your style.) Try this recipe for a tender, moist turkey this year.

Sides

Stuffing/Dressing

Another Thanksgiving staple, stuffing, is in the clear as long as it is soft and doesn’t contain nuts or other crunchy foods. Check out this article on how to make a turkey stuffing that works for you.

Vegetables

Cooked or steamed veggies make the grade and if you have corn, cut it off the cob before eating it. To give your steamed vegetables a bit of kick, try these tips.

Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are a standard on braces-friendly food lists because of their soft texture, so of course they have to be on this list as well! Learn the secret to making the fluffiest, creamiest mashed potatoes with this recipe.

Soft Casseroles

Casseroles are a great braces-friendly option, combining several braces friendly ingredients into one tasty dish. Here’s a recipe for a classic green bean casserole.

Muffins/Dinner Rolls

Enjoy as many of these soft and fluffy sides as you wish. If you want a stellar cornbread muffin, this recipe will help.

Sweet Potatoes/Yams

This classic Thanksgiving staple shares a similar texture to mashed potatoes, making it a fabulous option for a braces-friendly Thanksgiving meal. Take the sweetness up a notch with this sweet potato recipe.

Desserts

Pudding, Jell-O, & Mousse

These foods are great dessert options, as long as they don’t have any nuts or crunchy bits added. And if they’re served cold it can be a relief to newly tightened braces. If your oven is busy with the turkey, give this no-bake mousse a try.

Pumpkin pie

As long as the crust is soft, this autumnal treat won’t pose any danger to your braces and pumpkin has a ton of vitamins and minerals that are great for your teeth (without the sugar added!). Try your hand at this holiday standard with this simple recipe.