If you have recently had braces applied to your teeth, you may be afraid that the holidays will lose some of their luster thanks to the addition of brackets and wires in your life. Not so! In fact, with a little forethought to bring your floss and toothbrush along for post-meal maintenance, you should have no trouble whatsoever enjoying the dishes you enjoy most.
Beyond thoroughly brushing and flossing, be mindful of sticky treats that can potentially wreak havoc on your braces. Avoid taffy textures and sticky caramel, instead opting for smooth, creamy types of desserts (read: pumpkin pie with plenty of whipped topping is your friend this holiday season). And while we’d never ask you to skimp on the turkey or ham, make sure any stringy bits of the traditional holiday proteins are carefully flossed and brushed away after you’ve finished your special supper.
If you’re looking to contribute to your family’s holiday feast, here is a deliciously smooth mashed potato recipe sure to have everyone at the table saying a big, “THANK YOU!” for including the starchy staple.
Creamy Dreamy Braces-Friendly Mashed Potatoes
These little red potatoes transform into a creamy, dreamy holiday side dish with the help of cream cheese, milk, and butter!
What you’ll need:
Potato peeler
Kitchen knife and cutting board
Large pot
Hand mixer
Ingredients:
2 pounds red potatoes with skin removed
½ cup milk
8 oz whipped cream cheese
1 stick of butter
2 tablespoons garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
After peeling the potatoes, dice them into manageable chunks and place in a large pot. Cover with cold water, sprinkle a bit of salt in, and bring to a rolling boil on the stove. Cover and turn to low for about 15 to 20 minutes or until potatoes can be pierced easily with a fork.
Drain all liquid from potatoes. Keep them in the same pot you used to bring them to a boil. While the potatoes are still warm, add all other ingredients.*
Use a hand mixer set on high to blend and whip the potatoes until creamy, taking care to reach the bottom and sides of the pot.
Once all lumps are removed, your potatoes are ready! Consider sprinkling a bit of chopped chives or parmesan cheese on top before serving.
*For an even cheesier version of this dish, add two cups of shredded sharp cheddar while the drained potatoes are still warm right before you mix in the other ingredients.
Enjoy!
At Birmingham Orthodontics, our mission is simple: we create smiles. Not only do we straighten the crooked grin, fix the bite, and adjust the jaw, we also brighten yearbooks, help young people come to like their looks, and give adults the confidence they have wanted for a long, long time. We also believe in our staff. Our culture of continuous learning has allowed us to host monthly training sessions for each team and bring in leading industry consultants to help keep us ahead of the curve. Contact us for a free consultation, or any questions you might have.
