Guess what? Christmas is around the corner! And, after an extremely challenging year, we can’t wait to take a well-earned break. Of course, food (lots of it) is an important part of Christmas. We don’t want to spoil your fun, but if you wear dental braces, be careful about what you eat.
Bad foods
Dental braces are pretty tough. However, certain foods can still damage components like the wires and rubber bands — even the brackets.
So, think twice before you indulge. Here are some foods to avoid this Christmas:
- candy canes
- biscotti
- corn chips and bread or pizza crusts
- nuts, carrots and corn on the cob
- sticky caramels and chewy toffees
- fruit that is tough to bite, like apples
- ice cubes
- anything with bones.
Rule of thumb: If you can’t squash something between your fingers and thumb, DON’T EAT IT.
Good foods
Thankfully, there is plenty that you can eat without the risk of damaging your braces. Here are some of them:
- ham and turkey
- seafood
- potatoes
- stuffing
- ice cream
- custard
- mince pies
- Christmas pudding and pavlova
Barbeque meat on the bone, like ribs, is okay, but be very careful.
If things go wrong
If you’d just had braces fitted, the wires should be turned out of the way. However, should a wire move and stick out, try pushing it back into place with the eraser on the end of a pencil or a pair of tweezers. If that doesn’t do the trick, apply some orthodontic wax to create a cushion, which will protect the side of your mouth — silicon earplugs also work.
NEVER cut the wire because you might swallow a piece and breathe it into your lungs.
Be prepared
The Christmas break offers a chance to break free of our daily routines. Don’t, however, forget to care for your teeth and braces. If you’re going away, make sure that you pack your toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, elastics, wax and aligner or retainer case.
Here’s a reminder about brushing and flossing:
- Brushing: Brush your teeth two to three times a day for a minimum of two each session. Split the time equally between the upper right and left sides and the lower left and right sides of your mouth.
- Flossing: Either before or after you brush your teeth, floss for a couple of minutes.
Xmas schedule
We’ll be closed from Wednesday the 23rd of December until Monday the 11th of January 2021. If you have an emergency, please call our practice and listen to the instructions on the answering machine.
From the team at Totara Orthodontists, we wish you a very merry Christmas. Stay safe, and we look forward to catching up with you in 2021!
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