The holiday season is the best time for sweets and treats. Unfortunately, this can be a little difficult for those of us who wear braces. At Meister Orthodontics, we want to make sure your orthodontic treatment continually works and straightens your teeth appropriately. To do so, we want to avoid any and all orthodontic issues, especially during the holidays. The last thing you want to do is come into the orthodontist’s office to fix a bracket or a wire on your braces. To survive the holidays with braces, Dr. Meister and her staff have put together a list of rules to follow this holiday season. Follow our guidance and you will have a stress-free, fun-filled holiday season, free of orthodontic problems! For questions, never hesitate to contact our Twin Cities orthodontist office.
Foods To Avoid Throughout the Holidays
As always, there are some specific foods that you should not eat while wearing braces because they may damage your wires and brackets and therefore, put your orthodontic treatment at risk. This is especially important throughout the holidays because we know the temptations are high. Please avoid eating the following foods:
- Hard Foods: any type of hard foods can damage your braces. Foods to remember this holiday season: veggie platters (cut your vegetables into bite size pieces), nuts - beware of the ones covered in chocolate, and hard candies - this can be in the form of candy canes!
- Sticky or Chewy Foods: sticky and chewy foods are horrible for braces. They will pull on your brackets and cause unwanted damage. Avoid candies and desserts with caramel, toffee, and taffey. Remember - during the holidays, these foods may be masked with chocolate and actually have a caramel center!
- Crunchy Foods: crunchy foods can be sneaky, some of the biggest culprits can cause a lot of damage. Look out for extra crunchy pizza crust or bread, pretzels, and ice! All of these can strain your brackets and/or wires.
H2 Customized Sports Mouthguards in Saint Paul
At Meister Orthodontics, we recommend anyone playing contact sports, whether they wear braces or not, to wear a mouthguard and protect their teeth. This is especially true during the holidays if you and your family enjoy playing hockey or a similar contact sport. Please protect your teeth from other players and the ice or floor, if you are at risk of falling. A mouthguard will not only protect your braces, but it will also protect your teeth.
The Good News
Although there are some precautions you must take this holiday season, there is some good news! You do not need to miss out on all the holiday desserts and treats. We recommend eating pudding, JELL-O, ice cream, and soft cakes or cookies. All of these desserts are easy to manage while wearing braces and will not damage your brackets or wires.
Contact Your Twin Cities Orthodontist Today!
If you have any questions or concerns about your braces during the holidays, please ask our Saint Paul orthodontist or staff. We will be more than happy to assist you. And, if you do experience an orthodontic emergency during the holidays, please call our Saint Paul, MN office immediately to schedule your next appointment. Our Meister Orthodontics team will assess the damage and fix the broken area in no time! We hope all of our patients in the Twin Cities area have a wonderful holiday season!