Are you ready for the holiday season? For many people, a large part of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other winter holidays is to enjoy some traditional festive foods. If you’ll be straightening your smile with traditional braces in Clinton during this year’s celebrations, it’s important to keep in mind that some foods can harm your orthodontics. You’ll need to avoid some traditional treats, but there are still plenty of delicious holiday items on the menu! Read on as we go over which snacks you can enjoy, which you should limit, and a few tips for keeping your orthodontic treatment on track this season!
Braces-Friendly Festive Foods
When picking out what to put on your plate this holiday season, feel free to choose options like:
- Thanksgiving turkey & holiday ham: These soft lean meats contain plenty of vitamins that are good for your teeth! Just avoid eating your food straight off the bone to protect your braces.
- Cranberry sauce and candied yams: Sweet, soft, and buttery options like these don’t pose a threat to your braces.
- Mashed potatoes and green bean casserole: Sides with cooked vegetables like these are a traditional and delicious way to enjoy holiday meals without hurting your brackets and wires.
- Soft cheeses and dinner rolls: They key word here is soft! Instead of crusty breads or hard cheeses, opt for softer varieties for the sake of your braces.
- Pie with no nuts and soft cookies: Sweets are an integral part of the holidays for many families, so be sure to choose soft options with no nuts!
Holiday Snacks to Avoid This Season
To prevent an orthodontic emergency during the festivities, consider avoiding choices like:
- Corn on the cob
- Nuts and raw veggies
- Carmel corn or candy apples
- Pecan pie and brownies with nuts
All of these options can potentially bend, dislodge, or break your wires and brackets! Though tempting, it’s best to stay away from these foods until after your braces have been removed.
Tips for Keeping Your Treatment on Track During the Holidays
Making healthy choices for your smile is one of the most important ways to take care of your braces during the festivities. However, there’s plenty more you can do to make sure your treatment stays on track to finish within the estimated time frame! Make sure you’re taking the time out of your busy holiday schedule to practice great oral hygiene, including brushing and flossing every day. If you’re not already, now is the perfect time to start carrying around a travel-sized toothbrush and toothpaste so you can clean your braces after every meal. Additionally, make sure to keep your routine checkup appointments with your orthodontist! They’ll be able to keep your braces in tip-top condition so you can enjoy the holidays without worry.
Keep these helpful food tips in mind as you enjoy your holiday meals with braces this year. These precautions may seem inconvenient now, but your beautifully straightened smile will undoubtedly be worth the effort!
About the Practice
At Simply Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we’re dedicated to helping our patients in Clinton achieve healthier, straighter smiles with treatments like braces! Our talented team will be with you every step of the way on your journey towards orthodontic well-being, and we’ll be more than happy to give you personalized tips and tricks for surviving the season with braces! If you’d like to learn more or if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us online or at (978) 612-6222.