Caring For Your Braces Over The Holidays

We cannot believe that December has arrived. Many of our patients are busy preparing for the holiday season. While this is a time to visit and celebrate with loved ones, remember to be mindful of your orthodontic hardware. We’ve talked before about which foods to avoid while wearing braces and other hardware. However, there is so much food during this time of year that it can be tempting to indulge, even when you know better. This can be especially difficult for our younger patients, who may not have much restraint. Here are some things to keep in mind this holiday season:

Make Wise Choices

Certain special treats are popular this time of year, like candy canes, whole nuts to crack, gingerbread, and other sticky delights. As tempting as it may be, you should not eat these foods. Remember that your braces are only temporary, and you will be free to enjoy these holiday treats again once they’re off.

Continue to Clean Your Teeth

The holidays are known for delicious food. After eating, be sure to thoroughly clean and brush your braces and your teeth. We would hate for your food choices to affect your orthodontic hardware and cause tooth decay too.

Bring Hardware When Traveling

If you are traveling this holiday season, bring anything you might need for your orthodontic hardware. It is always better to be overprepared than underprepared because getting supplies on the road or in an unfamiliar location could be tricky. If you are a patient who uses clear aligners, be sure to bring your next set of trays if you will need to change your aligners while you are away. Failure to do so can negatively impact your results and treatment plan.

If you are in the Southfield, MI area and have questions about your orthodontic care or experience an emergency with your orthodontic hardware, be sure to contact our office to schedule an appointment. We hope you and your family have a happy and healthy holiday season and new year. We look forward to seeing you soon!