With the holiday season in full swing, everyone should get prepared for good times with family and friends, great food, and tighter pants! For people with braces, it can be hard to keep in mind what kinds of foods you should and shouldn’t eat, especially with a table full of delicious food in front of you.
Taking good care of your braces is a full-time job, but this list of tips and healthy options should help make sure you can keep smiling all through the holidays.
Navigating the Holidays with Braces
The holiday season is a time for joy, celebration, and spending time with loved ones. But if you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment, you know that all those delicious treats and tempting foods can make it a little tricky to keep your healthy smile on track. At our orthodontic practice, we understand that maintaining oral health during the holidays is just as important as enjoying the festivities. That’s why we’ve put together this guide filled with helpful tips to help you navigate the holiday season with confidence. Whether you’re facing a table full of sweets or a calendar packed with holiday gatherings, you can keep your orthodontic journey on course and your smile bright—all while enjoying the moments that matter most.
Smart Holiday Food Choices for Braces Wearers
Holiday meals are often filled with family favorites and festive treats, but making smart food choices is key to protecting your braces and your healthy smile. Soft foods like mashed potatoes, roasted turkey, and baked salmon are not only delicious but also gentle on your brackets and wires. While it’s tempting to reach for sugary treats, hard candies, or crunchy snacks, these can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and even damage your orthodontic appliances. Instead, choose softer options such as yogurt, cheese, and ripe fruits that are easy to chew and less likely to get stuck. Remember, maintaining better oral health isn’t just about looks—it’s about feeling your best and keeping your orthodontic treatment on track throughout the holiday season.
Oral Care Tips for Festive Feasts
With all the festive foods and sweet treats around, it’s more important than ever to stick to a solid oral hygiene routine during the holiday season. Brushing and flossing regularly will help remove food particles that can get trapped around your brackets and wires, reducing the risk of plaque buildup. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and orthodontic floss or a floss threader to reach those tricky spots. Don’t forget to rinse with water or a travel-sized mouthwash after meals to keep your braces clean and your smile bright. By making these simple steps part of your daily routine, you’ll keep your orthodontic treatment on track and enjoy all the holiday cheer with confidence.
Clear Aligners and Care During the Holidays
If you’re straightening your teeth with clear aligners, the holiday season brings its own set of challenges and opportunities. Always remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything other than water, and store them safely in their case to avoid misplacing them during busy holiday gatherings. Clean your aligners regularly with a soft brush and mild soap to prevent plaque buildup and keep your oral hygiene routine on point. When you’re out and about, bring a travel-sized aligner case and cleaning supplies so you can maintain your confident smile wherever the festivities take you. With a little extra care, you’ll keep your orthodontic treatment progressing smoothly all season long.
Traveling with Braces: Preparation and Packing Tips
Traveling during the holiday season is exciting, but it can be a bit more complicated when you’re wearing braces. To make your trip stress-free, pack a travel-sized orthodontic kit with essentials like orthodontic wax, floss, a soft-bristled toothbrush, and a small container of mouthwash to keep your braces clean on the go. Don’t forget to bring extra rubber bands and a compact mirror for quick check-ins. When it comes to snacks, stick to braces-safe foods and avoid anything too hard or sticky. Being prepared means you can focus on making memories, not worrying about your orthodontic care. And once the holidays are over, be sure to schedule a post-holiday checkup to ensure your treatment stays on track and your smile stays healthy.
Avoid Hard/Crunchy Foods
Foods that are very hard or crunchy can easily pop off a bracket or snap a wire. Try to steer clear of candy canes, peanut brittle, nuts, popcorn, and anything else that you have to put a lot of effort into crunching down on. Nuts and popcorn should be avoided. Hard candy is also a risk for damaging braces and should be avoided to protect your brackets and wires. Hard bread is okay if you dip it in soup to soften it, and hard cookies or gingerbread can be dipped in a glass of milk as well, but you should stay away from anything too hard.
Avoid Very Chewy or Sticky Foods
Chewy or sticky foods love to get stuck in wires and can tug on them, which can pop a bracket or wire right off, as well as being incredibly difficult to clean. Anything with caramel should be avoided, as well as toffee and other sticky candies. You should also try to avoid having too many sugary treats, as they can cause staining around the brackets. Eating the wrong foods can lead to loose brackets, which may require attention from your orthodontist. If you experience loose brackets or other issues, it may be considered an orthodontic emergency, and you should contact your orthodontist promptly.
Enjoy the Foods You CAN Eat
Most dairy foods like cream cheese, custard, and ice cream are fair game. These are great braces-friendly options, meaning they are safe and enjoyable for anyone with braces. Soft breads and other grains like muffins, pasta, and rice are fine to eat as well, as long as they’re not too chewy. Fruits and veggies are always a good choice as long as they’re not too hard (no raw apples, raw carrots, etc.). Mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables are great choices. Meats such as turkey, ham, and pot roast are a holiday staple and are good as well, as long as you’re not eating meat off the bone or trying to chew pieces that are too large. These are often holiday favorites and can be enjoyed as part of festive meals when prepared in a braces-friendly way. Practice mindful eating during holiday meals to protect your braces and maintain your oral health.
Maintain Good Cleaning Habits
It’s important to maintain your oral hygiene routines during the holidays. Make sure that you brush and floss regularly to avoid plaque buildup by sticking to your cleaning routine. Good habits are essential for protecting your dental health during the holidays. Avoiding damaging foods and maintaining cleaning habits helps ensure your orthodontic progress stays on track. Brushing and flossing right after a big holiday meal is always a great idea!
Don’t Forget to Change Up Your Band Colors!
Most people love to have their favorite color or cool color combinations for their rubber bands, but why not get festive? Opting for holiday-themed colors such as green and red or gold and silver is a fun way to “decorate” for the holidays and can go great with that ugly Christmas sweater hiding in your closet.
No matter what holiday you celebrate, Lazzara Orthodontics is here to help you have a great smile during the festivities. Located in Ponte Vedra and Jacksonville Beach, Dr. Lazzara and our entire team believe every patient is a member of our extended family, and we are committed to providing the highest quality care possible. Give us a call at (904) 270-8750 today or schedule a free initial consultation.
