The heart of the holiday season is just around the corner, and we know that means many people are looking forward to reconnecting with loved ones, getting some good R&R, and enjoying some favorite holiday treats. Unfortunately, though, the last item on that list can prove damaging to the health of tooth enamel and your smile – especially if you're wearing braces. At Dr. Ross Taddeo Orthodontics, our mission is to help kids throughout Orlando achieve a healthy smile through convenient pediatric dental and orthodontic treatment, so if you're celebrating the holidays with braces this year, here are our tips on keeping your smile safe and healthy.
How to Keep Braces Safe During the Holidays
Heading into the holiday season with braces for the first time this year? As cheerful as they may be, the holidays can be something of a minefield for braces-wearers. But have no fear, as with a little preparation and diligence, these tips will help you keep your braces and your teeth healthy during the holiday season:
- Watch What You Eat: The first step to protecting your braces is to be careful with what foods you eat in the first place. Any foods that are overly hard, crunchy, chewy, or gooey can severely damage brackets and wires, so make sure to watch out for nuts, hard candies, taffy, and other foods like these during the holiday season.
- Make a Care Kit: The holidays often involve travel, and that can make it even harder to take care of your teeth. To counteract this, we recommend putting together an on-the-go braces care kit. Include things like a small toothbrush, travel-size toothpaste, floss, dental wax, elastics, and interdental brush, and anything else you use to care for your braces, and take it with you wherever you go.
- Brush Four Times a Day: While wearing braces, you'll need to augment your brushing and flossing schedule to prevent dental decay, and it's especially important during the holidays. At a minimum, you should floss daily and brush your teeth four times per day – once after each meal and once before bed. Staying diligent with this schedule will keep your mouth free of food particles and prevent the formation of cavity-causing dental plaque.
Schedule an Appointment with Your Orlando Orthodontist
We hope these tips make it a little easier for you to properly care for your smile during this year's holiday season, but if you have more questions, we're always here to help. Contact us today if you'd like more tips on protecting your braces during the holidays or if you'd like to schedule a check-up appointment at our office. We can't wait to hear from you, and we wish you a happy, braces-friendly holiday season!