If you're getting braces from a
professional orthodontic specialist, the braces will likely be in for at least
a full calendar year. You can’t avoid holidays and celebrations where sweet
treats and potentially banned foods may be served.
Thankfully, no matter when you do
have braces, you can celebrate the holidays without posing damage to your
teeth. Follow this guide to not only brainstorm some great ideas but to get an
optimistic view on your future holiday celebrations in braces.
New Year's Eve & Day
Start off the new year right. The
fresh start is the time to make resolutions, and some of the resolutions may
focus on the care of your teeth and braces. Festive drinks for both children
and adults are commonplace to ring in the new year, but tooth awareness is
important as well. While you should avoid drinks like soda, Gatorade, and
anything with high sugar content, you have plenty of other options.
For example, consider celebrating
the new year with a healthy milkshake. Milk is an approved beverage for wearing
braces, and you can whip up a delicious treat.
Valentine's Day
A bucket of popcorn at the movies or
a box of chocolates is a big no-no when you wear braces. Consider hosting a
movie night at home with some softer movie snacks like baked soft pretzels or
ice cream sundaes with healthy toppings like bananas and strawberries. As a
healthy alternative to a box of chocolates, request something like chocolate
covered strawberries or a fruit bouquet.
Spring Holidays
During the spring, you may be
inclined to enjoy a sweet treat for holidays like St. Patrick's Day, Easter, or
Passover. While passing up the chocolate bunny is tough, brunch celebrations
are common for these holidays, and you can still enjoy a slightly sweet treat.
As you plan a brunch, consider
making shaped holiday pancakes like a shamrock or a bunny. Sugar-free syrup
provides some added sweetness with less potential for cavities or tooth
problems.
Fourth of July
The Fourth of July usually marks the
peak time of summer celebrations, but this tip can help at any summer barbecue
you may attend. Besides cutting down on desserts, people with braces should be
careful with corn on the cob and bone-in chicken.
The ideal solution is to use a fork
and knife as much as possible. Cut the corn off the cob and pull the chicken
off the bone. Smaller bites mean less problems for your teeth.
Birthdays
At some point in the year, you'll
not only be celebrating your birthday but the birthdays of others. Cakes are
typically loaded with sugar and sticky frosting, not an ideal mix for braces.
Cake is a classic birthday treat, and the soft texture won’t harm your braces,
so the ideal solution would be to bake an alternative cake. Choose a healthy
cake option such as a fruit or vegetable base.
Halloween
Halloween is probably one of the
worst holidays while wearing braces. Chewy candy, hard candy, and candy with
nuts all pose problems for teeth and braces. Instead of digging through all the
Halloween candy, purchase yourself a treat to enjoy without as much risk. Ideal
options include ice cream, soft cookies, or a variety of cakes.
Thanksgiving
Just like the Fourth of July, make
sure you pull the turkey off the leg before you start digging in. Corn,
cranberry sauce, and mashed potatoes are all ideal foods as well. When it comes
to dessert, pies are typically soft as long as you avoid hard crust pieces.
Christmas & Winter Holidays
A variety of winter holidays include
treats like cookies and candy canes. Hard candy like candy canes may cause
damage to braces, but you have options. For example, you can take a candy cane
and melt it in a cup of hot chocolate to enjoy the flavors without the same
hard crunch.
For more information on braces, diets, and
healthy smiles, contact our professionals at
Donald E. Snyder
Orthodontics. We can help guide you along every step of the way.
