The holidays are upon us again, which for most of us means family, fun and food. It is the time of the year we look forward to most, especially after the year we’ve just been through. Even if you are celebrating on a lower scale, it is important to remember to take extra care with your braces during the holiday season. 

If you have been reluctant to maintain your regular orthodontic visits, we strongly recommend you plan to visit our office before the holiday festivities. It is our responsibility to ensure that your braces are in good condition, and doing the job they were meant to. The last thing you want or need is unnecessary pain or discomfort while you are celebrating, plus, we would love to see your smiling face! 

A Friendly Reminder on Caring for Your Teeth Throughout the Holidays

You likely already know the foods and drinks to avoid and those won’t change over the holidays; there will just be so much more of them to resist!  
We would just like to kindly remind you of the things that are best avoided, some more than others.  Here are our suggestions:

Must Avoid:

• Hard candies- beside the sugar being bad for your teeth and braces, it is also possible for the candies to damage your braces or wires. Unfortunately, this does include candy canes! You can break them off into little pieces and suck on them, but it is not a good idea to bite into them or try and chew. 
• Sticky treats – The gooey, yummy stuff that can wreck havoc on your braces such as, gum, caramel, peanut butter, toffy, etc.
• Non-edible objects – often in times of stress, out of habit we chew on things not meant for our mouths such as pens or fingernails. It is easy to do this without even realizing we are, so please be mindful of what you are putting into your mouth. 
• Nuts and Seedy foods – nuts, chips, fruit containing seeds, any food that can leave small hard pieces in your mouth and between your wires and teeth.
• Harder, crunchier fare – Raw fruits and vegetables should not be bitten into. Instead, cut into little pieces and enjoy!
• Jerky, hard bread and snacks. 
• Ice – Don’t crunch on the ice! This is a frequent cause of brace and bracket damage.

Must enjoy:

• Well cooked, soft meats and vegetables.
• Soft breads, muffins, pies and cakes.
• Soft fruits.
• Yogurt.
• Cheeses.
• Eggs.

We all know that sugar is the ultimate NO. No for teeth and braces, but let’s face it, there are simply some comfort and traditional foods we want to enjoy during our holiday season. If you chose NOT to avoid that sweet treats, then take care in moderation. 

• Manageable bites – cut your treat into smaller pieces that are easier to chew effectively, or simply suck on.
• Smaller portions – it really isn’t necessary to have a large portion just to satisfy our comfort food craving. Take a smaller portion of several things and enjoy the season.
• Brush, brush, brush – make sure you are upping your dental hygiene game by brushing extra, flossing and rinsing. It is imperative for oral health!

If you do damage your braces or arch wires, give us a call and we will get you in as soon as possible so you can continue to enjoy your holiday without discomfort. 

If you are traveling, be sure to pack extra bands and wax.  Don’t forget the retainer and mouthguard!   The last thing you want during your holiday is to be unprepared when you are not at home. If you are Invisalign user, take care to use your Invisalign case so that you don’t accidently leave your tray on a napkin or throw it away. 

Most importantly, please enjoy your holiday season! And remember, Dr. Taylor and all of us at A Perfect Smile are here for your orthodontic needs. Our mission is to provide exceptional, affordable orthodontic treatment to anyone in the Rio Grande Valley. We value all of you and want to make sure that you receive the finest orthodontic care available, and make your visits, easy, enjoyable, and quick! 

Dr. Taylor and Dr. Moura and the Entire Staff at A Perfect Smile Orthodontics Wish All of You a Safe and Happy Holiday Season!