Maintaining a Bright Smile This Holiday

If you’re wearing braces, you’re on your way to getting one of the best gifts – a straight, beautiful smile.

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Even if you’re completely comfortable with your braces, the holidays come with a few challenges. We’ve put together a few helpful tips to make it easier to avoid negatively impacting your orthodontic plan while still enjoying the season’s festivities.

Tip #1 – Be Prepared to Eat Smart

The holidays often involve eating, parties and family gatherings galore. Be prepared to eat smart. The last thing you need is a broken bracket on a holiday. Holiday foods to avoid include nuts, caramel, hard candy (like candy canes), peanut brittle, toffee, and corn on the cob. The good news – you still have plenty of delicious holiday favorites that you can enjoy, such as cranberry sauce, soft cheeses, soft cookies, cake, puddings, ham, turkey, stuffing, and more.

Tip #2 – Pack a Dental Travel Kit

Make sure you have all the essentials to take care of your teeth and braces if you’ll be traveling for the holidays. A dental travel kit should include your toothbrush, toothpaste, orthodontics wax, small mirror, dental floss, and any other items that you normally use.

Tip #3 – Don’t Skimp on Dental Hygiene

With all the hustle and bustle of the season, it’s easier than ever to skip brushing or flossing here or there. Even if you’re visiting family, make sure you’re keeping up with your brushing and flossing regimen. Just a couple weeks of skimping on good hygiene could negatively impact your smile.

Tip #4 – Get a Checkup

If you’ll be out of town for the holidays, consider getting a checkup before you leave. This way you can make sure that all the wires and brackets are in place to reduce your chance of a problem while you celebrate the season.

Have more questions about how to take care of your braces during the holidays or want to schedule a checkup before you travel? Contact our office today, and we’ll be happy to help you.

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