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With the holidays just around the corner, you’re probably looking forward to spending time with your loved ones and eating delicious treats. However, if you wear braces, it can make indulging a little more complicated. The guide below offers tips for enjoying the season without compromising your dental care.

How to Care for Your Braces During the Holidays

1. Choose Your Desserts Wisely

During holiday parties, you’ll likely be surrounded by many sweet treats. While you’d probably love to eat all of them, hard foods, like peanut brittle and peppermint, can harm your brackets. Sticky foods, like caramel and taffy, can get stuck between them. To stay safe, opt for chocolate-dipped strawberries, pie, or gingerbread instead.

2. Brush Your Teeth Thoroughly

bracesBetween traveling to relatives' houses and staying up late for parties, it’s easy to get out of your usual routine. However, still make time to brush and floss your teeth twice a day to remove food particles from your braces and reduce your risk of tooth decay. Try to bring a toothbrush and toothpaste to events so that you can brush your teeth after eating sweets. If you don’t have them available, swish your mouth with water repeatedly.

3. Be Prepared When Traveling

If you plan to travel out of town during the holidays, remember to pack a braces kit. The kit should include a toothbrush, floss, elastics, mouthwash, and a small mirror. Furthermore, make sure these ingredients are thoroughly dried out by the time they are packed into your bag since moisture can cause bacteria to grow, possibly jeopardizing your oral health.

 

If you would like additional tips for caring for your braces, turn to the professionals at Delgado Orthodontics in North Richland Hills, TX. They’re dedicated to helping patients of all ages improve their smiles through their orthodontic services. In addition to traditional braces, they offer Invisalign®. These professionals use state-of-the-art technology to perform each application and thoroughly explain every procedure to each patient. For more information about their services, call (817) 282-1821 or visit their website.

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