The holidays are full of delicious meals and sweet treats, but if you have braces, navigating festive foods can feel a little tricky. However, with a few smart choices and habits, you can still enjoy holiday gatherings while protecting your braces and your smile. Here are some tips for making it through the upcoming holiday season without enduring any orthodontic emergencies or setbacks to your treatment.
Choose Soft Foods When Possible
The great thing about holiday meals is that there is usually a wide variety of soft, easy-to-eat foods, including mashed potatoes, carrots, yams, sweet potatoes, squash, soups and broths, and of course, pudding and cream-based pies! You’ll have plenty of braces-friendly options when filling your plate. Aside from mealtime, be sure that your snacks are also complementary to your orthodontic treatment. If you ever have doubts about something, chew it extra slowly and carefully.
Avoid Problematic Foods
It’s just as important to avoid foods that might cause issues for your braces, and there are still quite a lot of items out there that surge in popularity during the holidays that may also impact your treatment. Candy canes and other similar hard items should be avoided, as should peppermint bark and peanut brittle. Chewy and sticky items, like those with caramel or taffy, can also cause issues. Foods with nuts might also get stuck in your braces or damage a bracket or wire. If you’re determined to enjoy your protein without causing issues, cut your turkey, chicken, steak, or ham into tiny, bite-sized pieces.
Prioritize Dental Care When Traveling
Things tend to get very busy during the holiday season, especially if you’re traveling or have plans with family and friends. But no matter how hectic your schedule is, be sure you’re making time for your oral hygiene—it’s more important than ever before when you wear braces! Even a single cavity may lead to a delay in your treatment, so be sure you’re brushing and flossing after each meal, especially before going to bed. If you’re away from home, carry a travel-sized orthodontic kit with your hygiene supplies, including orthodontic wax, dental floss, a toothbrush, etc.
The holiday season is a joyful time of year, especially for foodies; however, if you’re still wearing your braces, you simply need to be a little extra careful to ensure your smile goals aren’t interrupted.
About the Practice
Under the experienced leadership of Dr. Alex J. Johnson, our team has served the needs of patients in Palm Harbor and the surrounding communities for several years. We offer a wide variety of orthodontic services for patients of all ages, including traditional metal braces. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to schedule an appointment for yourself or a family member before the upcoming holiday season, please contact us online or call today for more information. Telephone: (727) 786-7550.