Orthodontic care during the holidays

The holiday season is the best time for sweets and treats. Unfortunately, these can be a little harsh on our teeth, especially for patients with braces or Invisalign®. At Charlottesville Orthodontics in Charlottesville and Zion Crossroads. we want to make sure your orthodontic treatment plan works and straightens your teeth appropriately. To do so, we want to ensure you are practicing good orthodontic care, especially during the holidays. The last thing you want to do is come into the orthodontist’s office on your holiday. To avoid this, our orthodontists have put together a list of orthodontic care rules to follow this holiday season. Follow our guidance and you will have a stress-free, fun-filled holiday season, free of orthodontic problems!

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 or candies are horrible for braces. They will pull on your brackets and cause unwanted damage. Avoid candies and desserts with caramel, toffee, and taffy. Remember – during the holidays, these foods may be masked with chocolate and actually have a caramel center!
  • Crunchy foods: crunchy foods can be sneaky, and 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.

Sports mouthguard!

At Charlottesville Orthodontics, we recommend anyone playing contact sports, whether they wear braces or not, wear a mouthguard and protect their teeth. This is especially true during the holidays if you and your family enjoy playing ice 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. This also applies to our Invisalign patients in Zion Crossroads and Charlottesville, VA.

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. Dr. Stranix recommends eating pudding, JELL-O, ice cream, and soft cakes or cookies. All of these desserts are easy to manage while wearing braces or Invisalign and will not damage your brackets or wires. And, please remember to keep up your normal oral hygiene routine of effective brushing and flossing, especially after you have eaten sugary treats!

Schedule your next appointment with Charlottesville Orthodontics!

If you have any questions or concerns about your orthodontic care during the holidays, please ask our team. As specialists in kids’ orthodontics, we will be more than happy to assist you. Our Charlottesville and Zion Crossing, VA, orthodontist will assess any damage and ensure your orthodontic care is up to speed! To schedule your next visit, please contact us or request an appointment online. We hope all of our patients have a wonderful holiday season, filled with friends, family, and good orthodontic care!