Holiday parties can sometimes be tough on braces patients, so here are some tips to help you or your child get through the Christmas season!
The holidays are quickly approaching, which means that families and friends will be gathering together again at parties for what seems like the first relatively safe winter since the start of the pandemic three years ago.
That means it’s time to get excited, but it’s no secret how these types of get-togethers can sometimes be a little different for braces patients. The good news is that the JK Orthodontics team is here to show you how you can make the most of your Christmas celebrations—without letting your orthodontic appliances slow down your good times.
Check out the below ten things that braces patients should keep in mind during the holidays!
1. Getting Creative With Holiday Party Food Choices
Holiday meals are often full of sweet delicacies and our favorite treats, including things like pecan pies and chewy caramel apples. Although these desserts are delicious, they’re known for wreaking havoc on braces and brackets due to their stickiness.
So instead of gravitating toward what’s conveniently available during holiday parties, braces patients need to get a little more creative by choosing softer desserts and snacks.
2. Avoiding Hard Candy
It’s also important for braces patients to remember that hard candy is generally off-limits during treatment, because hard candies are known for damaging wires and brackets.
Our advice is to stick with things like chocolate candies, instead. Just remember to brush and rinse after eating to avoid plaque development around your brackets!
3. Be Extra Careful With Nuts
Nuts are very popular during the Christmas season. Braces patients should generally avoid nuts due to the possibility of them getting stuck in between your teeth—and potentially damaging brackets and wires.
But if you do eat nuts with braces, you’ll want to chop them up into very small pieces prior to eating them. It’ll also be important that you brush your teeth shortly afterward in order to remove the debris that can build up in your braces.
4. Cutting Food Into Smaller Bites
This may seem straightforward, but it’s easy to forget about this tip when you’re starving right before a big holiday party meal. But by simply cutting your food into smaller bites than you usually would prior to your treatment, you can make it much easier to chew and swallow your party meals without running the risks of damaging your braces or getting food stuck.
This is particularly important with specific foods like stringy vegetables and corn on the cob, which are notorious for getting tangled up in brackets and wires!
5. Don’t Forget About Your Oral Hygiene!
It’s easy to forget about keeping up with your oral hygiene routine while you’re busy during the holidays, but flossing and brushing can never be overlooked—no matter what time of year it is.
Neglecting your oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment is particularly problematic, because it can quickly lead to bacteria growth and plaque buildup in between your teeth!
6. Be Careful While Drinking Hot Beverages
Braces patients can enjoy popular holiday beverages like cocoa and cider, but it’s simply important for those with braces to remember how these hot drinks can heat up wires and brackets if gulped too quickly.
This is why you should slowly sip hot beverages during your treatment.
7. Choose Water, Instead of Soda
Sugary sodas are problematic for braces patients, and this is mainly because these beverages will stick onto wires and brackets much more than other options. This leads to increased risks for plaque buildup and enamel erosion.
Water is simply a better choice as compared to soda, because it’ll keep you hydrated while you’re simultaneously keeping your teeth clean!
8. Wearing a Mouthguard While Playing Sports
A lot of kids will participate in sports during the holidays, both competitively and recreationally. If your child has braces, make sure they’re sticking with their mouthguard usage during playtime.
Contact sports like basketball and football are especially problematic when it comes to potential braces damage, but simply wearing a mouthguard can dramatically reduce the chances of issues!
9. Be Sparing With Orthodontic Wax
Orthodontic wax does a great job at alleviating uncomfortable abrasions against brackets and skin, but using too much wax can actually have a detrimental effect by attracting too much debris and leading to plaque buildup.
So even if you’re still getting used to your braces this holiday season and want to use wax, be sure to do so sparingly!
10. Visiting Dr. Karpac Before Vacations
A lot of families will take extended breaks in between appointments due to the holiday season, but you should remember that we’re here to help you get prepared prior to any vacations.
Getting a quick adjustment prior to any extended time away from home is always a great idea, partly because you won’t have to worry about coming into one of our offices shortly after your return.
Reach Out To JK Orthodontics To Learn More Holiday Tips For Braces Patients!
JK Orthodontics is a top-rated orthodontic treatment organization based in the Columbus metro area. Dr. Karpac and the entire team are here to help you or your child get through the holiday season without any hiccups.
Reach out to us online or call us at 614-766-0330 (Dublin office) or 614-471-6355 (Gahanna office) to schedule your pre-vacation appointment with Dr. Karpac today!