If this is your first holiday season wearing braces, you might have some anxiety about eating during get-togethers. Don’t fret. Although a few dietary restrictions come along with wearing braces, you can still enjoy many of your seasonal favorites. Here are a few tips to help you eat holiday meals without damaging your braces.
Choose Soft Foods
Hard and crunchy foods are notorious for breaking brackets and wires. You can avoid an orthodontic emergency by choosing soft foods that require minimal chewing, like stuffing, mashed potatoes, and baked yams.
Cut Your Food Into Small Pieces
No matter what you’re eating, small bites are best. Cut your food into small pieces to make them easier to chew, especially meats, like turkey. Chew your food slowly and carefully to prevent biting your tongue or the insides of your lips and cheeks.
Avoid Sticky Candy and Foods
Gum, taffy, and other sticky foods are a big no-no for braces wearers. Not only do they cling to your teeth, increasing your risk of decay, but they can be very difficult to remove from your wires and brackets. They may also cause a bracket to pop off. Instead, choose chocolate, but make sure it doesn’t contain nuts or caramel.
Limit Sugary Foods and Drinks
The holidays are full of many sweet treats and drinks. Unfortunately, they are bad news for your dental health. Sugar feeds bacteria that can erode your enamel. It is best to limit your consumption of sugar. If you can’t resist your sweet tooth, brush your teeth after you finish. If you can’t get to your toothbrush, rinse your mouth with water.
Stay Hydrated
Dehydration can sneak up on you. A dry mouth is one of the first signs you’re not drinking enough water. If you’re not producing enough saliva, oral bacteria can get out of control quickly, increasing your risk of decay, gum disease, and bad breath. Drink at least eight 8-oz glasses of water daily to stay hydrated and keep your mouth moist. Every sip will also cleanse your teeth to keep your pearly whites healthy.
Besides watching what you eat, don’t forget to brush and floss after every meal. Maintain your regular adjustment appointments to keep your treatment plan on track during the holidays.
About Dr. Bradley Buchwald
Dr. Buchwald achieved his dental degree at the Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine and continued his education for 3 years at the Texas A&M University Baylor College of Dentistry to earn his Certificate in Orthodontics. He also has a Master of Science degree in Oral Biology. Request an appointment through his website or call (972) 299-3199.