There is a variety of foods you may encounter during the holidays, but some are not good for your braces and appliances.
FOODS TO AVOID
- Gingerbread - Making gingerbread houses during the holidays is a fun activity to do with family and friends but gingerbread is not safe to eat while having braces and appliances. Biting into gingerbread could cause your braces to come off, wires bend and break your appliance. Stick to just decorating the gingerbread.
- Candy Canes- Candy canes are fun to use for decorations and may be received with a holiday card. Stay away from them as they are a hard peppermint candy that will break your braces!
- Nuts- Holiday nuts are very common snack at parties. Stay away as they are hard and can break your braces off or dislodge between the bracket and wire causing the wires to break and cause discomfort.
FOODS TO ENJOY
- Hot chocolate- Hot chocolate is a warm winter drink that will not harm your braces. You can even add yummy flavors you can't actually eat with braces such as marshmallow, caramel, and peppermint.
- Baked goods- Fresh baked cookies, cakes and brownies are delicious treats that are safe to eat with your braces. Just make sure there are no nuts in the baked goods.
- Holiday dinner- You can still enjoy your favorite holiday dishes with your braces such as casseroles, mashed potatoes, soft veggies, tender meats, etc.
INVISALIGN DURING THE HOLIDAYS
Invisalign patients may be able to eat whatever they would like, but it is important to remember to wear your Invisalign trays full time! With all the holiday events you may be taking your Invisalign out more to socialize and snack. If you feel like your trays are too tight when you put them in, try wearing your last set of trays a little longer. Make sure to brush and floss before putting back in your trays.
Azizi Orthodontics wish you and your family a lovely holiday!