During the festive season the last thing you want to focus on is having to book an emergency dental appointment for a broken brace. Therefore, we are here to guide you on essential brace care for adult orthodontics during the holidays, including food and drinks which aren’t practical for your braces.
It is important to not feel restricted by your brace care and there are many ways to enjoy this time of year, while maintaining a healthy dental and brace care routine.
Our Advice on Foods You Can’t Eat with Braces
Preparing Your Festive Charcuterie Board
A charcuterie board is a great way to feel festive, while keeping your braces as safe as possible. While undergoing brace treatment, foods you can’t eat with braces include anything sticky, chewy, hard or crunchy as these have the potential to damage your dental brace. This may include crunchy fruits and vegetables, popcorn, pretzels, caramel, nuts and hard bread rolls. However, you can still enjoy a festive charcuterie board with soft fruits, cheese and light crackers.
When it comes to the Christmas Day dinner, consider opting for mashed potatoes, soft boiled vegetables and gravy as your trimmings. Be careful while eating by taking your time, but enjoy!
Avoiding Teeth Stains
There are certain foods and drinks which are prone to staining teeth. While it may not be too noticeable at first, it can be made more noticable once your braces are removed and there is a difference in colour. Therefore, drinks and foods you can’t eat with braces if you want to restrict the risk of teeth staining are red wine, tea and coffee, cola and cooking ingredients such as tomato based sauces, balsamic vinegar, beetroot and soy sauce.
Straightforward Holiday Dental Care
If you have a busy holiday season planned, you want to be very organised when it comes to transport, shopping and when you get ready. Dental care does not have to be a long process, as it can take just as long as it would to style your hair, apply party makeup or choose a coordinating outfit.
Essential Brace Care
Firstly, you should be continuing with your daily dental care routine as advised by your dentist. Brushing twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste, flossing and gargling mouthwash when needed.
If you have removable braces, simply remove them while you eat, drink and clean your teeth. When they’re not being worn, have a container to place them in so you don’t lose them. Once you are ready, brush and rinse your Invisalign with lukewarm water and use the Invisalign Cleaning Crystals or special cleaning tablets before refitting it back into place.
Fixed braces need a little extra attention. Brush three times daily to make sure you are clearing away any leftover food debris from your meals, taking the time to brush each individual tooth. When you have areas which are difficult for your daily toothbrush to reach, use interdental brushes for an easier clean.
Packing for the Holidays
If you are staying with family or are taking a break somewhere over the holidays, include a small toiletry bag for your dental and brace care supplies in your suitcase. This will allow you to have everything you need in one place which is easy to reach for. To make sure you don’t forget anything, remember to pack the following:
- Toothbrush
- Dental floss or interdental brushes
- Mouthwash
- Spare brace elastics
- Aligner cleaning solution
- Aligner container
If it is easily in reach, you will find it less of a chore to complete your routine each evening.
Visiting Your Orthodontist in the New Year
Once the holidays are over, remember to book in for your first 2023 orthodontist check up appointment. These appointments are crucial for allowing us to monitor your treatments progress and make adaptations and repairs where needed. To book your appointment, simply contact our team who will be happy to help.