The holiday season is a time for joy, laughter, and making memories with friends and family. It’s also a season full of delicious foods and sweet treats that can tempt anyone into breaking their usual routines. If you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment, it’s more important than ever to stay mindful of your smile care. At Feil Orthodontics, we’re here to make sure your holidays are as bright and cheerful as your smile!
Here are some holiday-specific tips to keep your orthodontic journey on track while still enjoying the season to its fullest:
Choose Treats Wisely
Holiday goodies are everywhere—gingerbread cookies, candy canes, caramel popcorn, and sticky toffee pudding. While these festive treats may look delicious, they can wreak havoc on braces, wires, and aligners. Hard or sticky candies can break brackets or wires, leading to emergency appointments that could put a damper on your celebrations.
Instead, go for softer, braces-friendly options like plain chocolate, peppermint patties, or soft-baked cookies (without nuts). These alternatives are just as festive but won’t damage your orthodontic appliances. If you’re wearing aligners, remember to remove them before eating and brush before putting them back in to keep your teeth and aligners clean.
Stay on Track with Your Aligners
For patients using clear aligners, the hustle and bustle of holiday travel and events can make it easy to slip out of your usual routine. But wearing your aligners as directed—typically 20–22 hours a day—is essential for staying on track with your treatment plan.
Heading to a family gathering or holiday party? Don’t forget to pack your aligner case. It’s all too common for aligners to be wrapped in a napkin at dinner and accidentally thrown away. Bringing your case ensures your aligners stay safe while you’re enjoying your meal.
Traveling? Bring your next set of aligners, just in case you’re scheduled to switch during your trip. Staying prepared means you can focus on enjoying the holidays instead of worrying about your treatment plan.
Don’t Skip Your Oral Hygiene
The holidays are packed with treats, from rich desserts to sugary hot cocoa, but they’re also packed with opportunities to strengthen your commitment to great oral care. With more sugar around than usual, the risk of cavities can increase if you’re not brushing and flossing properly.
For patients with braces, holiday meals often leave extra food particles stuck in your brackets and wires. Make sure to brush thoroughly after every meal using a fluoride toothpaste. Don’t forget to use your interdental brushes or floss threaders to clean around your brackets and wires—these tools are designed to make cleaning much easier.
Aligner users should remember to brush after every meal or snack before reinserting aligners to prevent staining and bacteria buildup. Consistent oral hygiene keeps your teeth clean and your treatment progressing smoothly.
Spread the Cheer, Not the Sugar
It’s tempting to indulge in every treat this season has to offer, but sugar isn’t your smile’s best friend. High-sugar snacks feed the bacteria in your mouth, which can lead to cavities, especially around brackets and aligners.
You don’t have to skip holiday favorites entirely—just aim for balance. Incorporate tooth-friendly foods like cheese, yogurt, fresh fruits, and crunchy veggies into your holiday spreads. These not only keep your smile healthy but also add variety to your celebrations.
If you’re attending multiple holiday events, pace yourself with sweets. Drinking water between treats can help wash away sugars and acids, keeping your teeth safer until you can brush.
Emergency Preparedness
Traveling during the holidays? Whether you’re visiting family out of town or heading somewhere warm for a festive getaway, it’s a good idea to pack a small orthodontic care kit. This kit can include essentials like:
- Orthodontic wax (to cover any poking wires).
- A travel-sized toothbrush and toothpaste.
- Floss threaders or interdental brushes.
- Extra rubber bands (if you wear them).
- If you experience an issue like a broken bracket or a lost aligner while away, don’t panic! You can give us a call, and we’ll help guide you on what to do until you’re back home.
At Feil Orthodontics, we believe every patient deserves to feel confident and capable throughout their orthodontic journey—even during the busiest time of the year. Taking a little extra care of your smile now means you’ll enter the new year feeling proud of your progress.
From all of us at Feil Orthodontics, we wish you a season full of happiness, confidence, and bright smiles!