Holiday season means time of joy – travelling, parties, snacks everywhere you turn. During festive seasons, you can easily overlook your oral health. A cheerful stretch of the year can also be tough on braces, invisalign aligners, and overall oral health.

In this guide, we’ll explore simple, practical steps to keep your orthodontic treatment on track with your oral health throughout the holiday.

Top 8 Tips To Protect Your Smile During the Holidays

Stay Hydrated and Rinse Often

Holiday foods tend to be richer, stickier, and more acidic. Drinking plenty of water keeps the mouth cleaner and reduces the buildup that fuels cavities and gum irritation. When brushing isn’t immediately possible, rinsing with water helps limit what settles around brackets or under aligners.

Do Not Skip Oral Hygiene Practice

When your days are filled with gatherings, late nights, and travel, it’s easy to skip brushing or flossing. But orthodontic appliances trap food more easily, and plaque builds up faster when you’re snacking throughout the day.

Brush and floss regularly, even if the timing shifts. A travel-sized orthodontic kit with soft-bristle brush, floss threaders, interdental brushes, and orthodontic wax can make it easier to maintain oral hygiene.

Avoid Stick Candies and Hard Nuts

Avoid sticky candies with braces, hard nuts, toffees, caramel popcorn, and crunchy cookies – these can put stress on wires and brackets. Even tough breads or chewy appetizers can cause damage you won’t notice right away.

Instead, try soft holiday foods like roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, baked goods without nuts, soft cheeses, and chocolate that melts easily.

Schedule a Pre-Holiday Orthodontic Checkup

A quick visit before the holiday can help ensure your appliances are secure, your wires are in good shape, and you have the supplies you need for travel.

Addressing small issues ahead of time reduces the chance of unexpected problems interrupting your holiday plans. If you are planning a holiday outing in Phoenix and surrounding areas, you can contact us for an orthodontic checkup.

Protect Your Aligners From Accidental Loss

During the holidays, patients often lose their aligners while having their food, keeping it aside. They get wrapped in napkins, forgotten on counters, or left on dining tables.

Store your aligners in their designated case every time you are removing them. And if you are flying, keep your aligners with you in your nahd-bag.

Protect Your Teeth During Winter Sports

If your holiday plans include skiing, snowboarding, or other cold-weather activities, take a moment to protect your smile before you head out.

A properly fitted mouthguard can prevent chipped teeth, soft-tissue injuries, and damage to braces or aligners if you take a fall or collide with someone on the slopes.

Avoid Hot Drinks

If you’re wearing Invisalign aligners, remove them before drinking anything that isn’t cool water. Heat can warp the trays, leading to poor fit and discomfort.

For those with braces, sugary hot drinks cling to teeth and brackets, increasing the risk of enamel demineralization, especially if you’re sipping over long periods. Rinse with water afterward and brush as soon as you can.

Handle Emergencies or Irritations the Right Way

A broken bracket or poking wire may not ruin the holiday, but it can cause discomfort. Orthodontic wax can provide temporary relief. If a wire is sliding or irritating the cheek, wax can protect the area until you can be seen.

For aligner patients, a rough edge can sometimes be smoothed gently with an emery board. If damage is significant, keep wearing your previous tray until you can get guidance from your provider.

Ready for Support With Your Orthodontic Care?

If you run into issues during the holiday season, or if you’re considering starting treatment in the new year, Woolaver Orthodontics is here to help. Reach out to schedule an appointment. We’re committed to keeping your smile healthy.

How To Protect Your Smile With Orthodontic Treatments During the Holidays?