The holiday season is officially upon us, and that means tons of delicious food is right around the corner! If you’re currently undergoing orthodontic treatment with braces, that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on all your holiday favourite.
Our team at Unionville Orthodontics in Markham has put together a guide to seasonal foods you can safely enjoy, and others you’ll want to avoid.
The Golden Rules
When you have braces, there are a few types of food you’ll always want to stay away from. These include any foods that are very hard, crunchy, sticky, or chewy. Foods that are very hard and chewy involve a lot of force from your teeth in order to chew them properly. This force can cause your brackets to break or bend, or even cause damage to your actual teeth. Sticky foods can become stuck in your braces and quickly create an oral hygiene problem. It’s best to just avoid these foods for the time being!
If you have Invisalign this holiday season, you can enjoy all your favourite foods! Just remember to remove your aligners before eating and to brush your teeth well before putting them back in.
Safe Holiday Foods For Braces
Luckily, there are tons of holiday food options you can enjoy with braces. Most holiday staples are perfectly fine, just avoid eating meat off the bone and cut your food into smaller pieces. We suggest enjoying the following this season:
- Turkey
- Ham
- Mashed potatoes
- Stuffing
- Dinner rolls
- Soft fruit
- Cooked/soft veggies
- Pumpkin pie
- Ice cream
Holiday Foods To Avoid With Braces
The holiday foods you will want to avoid won’t come as a surprise. Anything sticky and very crunchy will just make your special dinner less enjoyable.We suggest avoiding the following:
- Raw veggies
- Hard fruit
- Candy canes
- Gingerbread cookies
- Toffee
- Caramels
- Nuts (including baked goods like pecan pie)
Brush Up
Regardless of what you decide to eat, make sure you’re practicing proper oral hygiene. After your holiday meal, use a quality toothbrush and brush thoroughly. Also, try using mouthwash to kill any lingering germs. This is all especially important if you indulged in sugary foods!
Visit An Orthodontist In Markham!
Making smart food choices this holiday season will ensure you’re on the quickest route to a beautiful, healthy smile. If you’re thinking of starting your journey to a straighter smile, or interested in changing the color of your braces for the holiday, we’re happy to talk to you about your options! Our Markham office offers orthodontics treatments, such as clear braces, Invisalign, and more! New and existing patients can easily book an appointment online. Dr. Lee and our experienced orthodontic team can’t wait to meet you!
