Although braces will leave you with a beautiful smile once they’re off, you do have to follow a little bit of a stricter regimen when they’re on. This involves avoiding certain foods that can break them or get stuck in them. When the holidays roll around, there may be extra temptations with all the celebrations and family dinners. So what foods should braces-wearers avoid this holiday season?
Candy Canes
Candy canes are a special treat around this time of year. However, they are very hard, and if you bite down on them with braces, it’s very possible that you can break a bracket. If you do want to eat one, suck on them instead of biting them. Make sure to then brush your teeth after consuming one since they’re high in sugar.
Christmas Pudding
Christmas pudding is another delectable item that might be on your dinner table this holiday season, but it’s not so braces-friendly. It has a lot of little bits and pieces in it, which can easily get stuck in your braces. Food getting stuck in your braces can lead to a slew of problems, including broken brackets, a harder time cleaning your teeth, and cavities.
Crushed Ice
Holiday cocktails are an essential part of the season. Whether your child is sipping on an iced juice or you’re drinking an iced adult beverage, it’s important to not chew on the ice that’s in the drink. If they are chewed on, it’s not unlikely for a bracket to break, or even for a tooth to be damaged or chipped.
Anything Overly Sugary
Sugar isn’t great for your teeth, but having braces means it’s even more important to stay away from sugar. Sugar can lead to tooth decay and cavities if you don’t practice excellent oral hygiene. With brackets in the way, it’s harder to effectively clean all the nooks and crannies in your teeth. There are lots of special sweet treats around the holidays, so if you or your child have braces and are indulging, make sure to do an extra thorough job when you brush and floss your teeth!
Anything With Nuts
Nuts are a huge no-no with braces. They’re known to break brackets and get stuck in teeth. With nuts being in a lot of holiday treats such as peanut brittle, pecan pie, or toffee, it might be better to avoid these foods altogether.
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